Thoracoscope for thoracoscopic surgery

: Thoracoscope is very important in thoracoscopic surgery (TS). There are many types of telescope and monitor. Also the placement of access port and location of the monitor image often differ between each institutions. Thoracic surgeons need to know these features to perform good TS. In our department, 2,375 patients (98% of all operation) were underwent 3-ports TS for 5 years. Operator always stands by patient's right side and camera assistant stands by patient's left side. Using 2 monitors, left side of monitors image sets to patient's head side and camera assistant see the inverted image monitor. Regardless of the localization of the lesion, three ports are always placed in same intercostal space. One of the advantages of TS is the ability of obtaining close and magnified operative image which can be possible to be shared with assistant and other surgical staff. The other advantages is that surgeons can review the recorded surgical digital versatile disc(DVD).