OBJECTIVE To review the authors' experience and benefit in diagnosis and management of intrathoracic diseases by Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgical procedures (VATS) using a non trocar technique. MATERIAL AND METHOD Retrospective review of sixty-eight consecutive patients who underwent seventy-one VATS procedures between January 1997 and December 2004. Indications included recurrent or per...

Empyema necessitans (EN) is a rare long-term sequela of poorly or untreated empyema thoracis, characterized by the dissection pus through soft tissues and skin chest wall, ultimately forming fistula between pleural cavity. We herein present male patient in his late 30s, known case tuberculosis (TB) on anti-tubercular therapy (ATT) under directly observed treatment short-course (DOTS), who recen...

BACKGROUND Thoracentesis and antibiotics remain the cornerstones of treatment in stage I empyema. The management of disease progression or late presentation is controversial. Open thoracotomy and decortication is perceived to be synonymous with protracted recovery and prolonged hospitalisation. Advocates of thoracoscopic adhesiolysis cite earlier chest drain removal and hospital discharge. This...