Thoracoscopy: The Procedure for Getting a Closer Look at Your Chest

Thoracoscopy, also known as thoracoscopic surgery, is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that can provide physicians with an up-close look at the inner workings of your lungs and pleural cavity.

What Is A Thorascopic Surgery?


A thorascopic surgery is one of the most common surgical procedures in the United States, with more than 600,000 procedures performed each year.


A thorascopic surgery is generally used to help diagnose and treat conditions such as lung cancer, pleuritis (inflammation of the lining of the lungs), or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).


The procedure itself involves making an incision on your chest and inserting a thin tube-like video camera called an endoscope into your chest. Once in place, it transmits images to a monitor.


How To Prepare For A Thorascopic Surgery?


While prepping for any surgery, you want to make sure you're eating well and staying hydrated, but there are also some specific preparations before your thorascopic surgery. Your doctor will prescribe pain medications to help with any post-op discomfort, and you'll likely be asked to stop taking aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen about 10 days before the procedure. You can take Tylenol or acetaminophen if needed after this time period. If you have diabetes and take insulin shots, ask your doctor how best to prepare in case of an emergency. You'll need a ride home from the hospital following the procedure so make sure someone is coming to pick you up!


What To Expect During A Thorascopic Surgery?


The surgery will be done while you're under anesthesia and your chest is laid open. From there, the doctor will remove all or part of the lung to see what's going on inside it. If they need to remove tissue, they'll do so and put the incision back together again. They'll also take a look at any other organs that seem unusual or abnormal in any way. Depending on what they find in there, your doctor might recommend additional procedures like biopsies or removal of lumps that may be causing concern.


The Risks And Side Effects Of  Thoracoscopy Procedure


There are many risks and side effects associated with thoracoscopy. One of the risks is an infection, which could be prevented if you take antibiotics before the procedure. Another risk is that there may be bleeding and bruising in the chest cavity that can also lead to an infection. A third risk is that people with lung cancer may not have any symptoms until it has spread outside of the lungs, so if a tumor was missed during the thoracoscope then it's possible that more treatment will need to be done. A fourth risk is that the anesthesia can sometimes lead to respiratory distress or pneumonia, but this should never happen if you go into surgery healthy. A fifth risk is heart attack or stroke, which can happen due to clotting on blood vessels being used for treatment in some instances.


How Long Would It Take For Me To Work After This Procedure?


The thoracoscopic procedure is minimally invasive and can be done under local anesthesia. You will be awake during the operation, but it will feel like you are sleeping or in a dreamlike state. You may experience some pain, burning sensation, or numbness during the procedure. Most people can return to work within two weeks of the surgery if they are not too active in their job. If you do not have any strenuous physical activities in your job, you may only need to wait one week to resume your normal tasks.


Choosing the best hospital for Thoracoscopy procedure 


A thoracoscopy is an operation that enables a doctor to examine the structures within the chest cavity, such as the lungs and heart, using an endoscope. This form of surgery may be used to diagnose conditions such as lung cancer or chronic pneumonia. Here are some tips on choosing the best hospital for a thoracoscopy:

  1. Choose hospitals with experience performing this type of Thoracoscopy procedure in Coimbatore.

  2. Hospitals with more doctors performing this procedure are likely to have better success rates than those with fewer doctors.

  3. Consider what level of specialist you will need - is it just one surgeon or do you want access to all specialists?

  4. Understand your health insurance coverage and what it covers in terms of out-of-network hospitals.


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