Thoracoscopic Surgery For Children
Thoracosopic surgery, is a Minimally Invasive Surgery which uses multiple small incisions, and is suitable for children who need to undergo surgery for various chest conditions. Thoracoscopy is now very frequently used for various simple and complex surgical chest conditions. Since a Minimally Invasive Surgery can be done with small incisions, this avoids injury to chest wall muscles and nerves. On the contrary, large incisions as used in open surgery are painful and can cause chest wall deformity in long run. Minimally Invasive Surgery have shown great results, with lesser pain, reduced hospitalization, lesser complications and a better cosmetic result as compared to traditional thoracotomy. However, Thoracotomy will still be needed in some select cases. Dr. Prashant Jain, is one of the best paediatric surgeon in Delhi (India), who has achieved excellent results in the removal of chest tumors through minimally invasive surgery. Following are some other procedures that he performs:

Excision of mediastinal tumors: Thoracoscopy has been found to be very useful in excision of mediastinal tumors/ masses like neuroblastoma, thymoma, teratoma etc. The advantage of thoracoscopy is it gives excellent magnified vision which helps in complete excion without damaging adjacent vital structures.
Excision of Mediastinal cysts: Various mediastinal and lung cysts can be safely removed in newborns, infants and pediatric patients with excellent results. This include bronchogenic cyst, enteric duplication cyst, thymic cyst, hydatid cyst etc. Some of these cyst are diagnosed during antenatal period.
Lung Malformations: Thoracoscopy excision of lung malformation involves CCAM, CLE and lung sequestration.
Empyema: Empyema is an infection due to pus formation in the chest cavity or the pleural space. Children with empyema requires treatment with antibiotics, thoracostomy and thoracoscpic decprtication. For thoracoscopic decortication, three to four small incisions (3-5mm) are made to access the pleural space. Following which, the pleural space is cleansed off all debris and infected material, using a camera to see inside. Thus making the lung re-expand. Thoracoscopy addresses the symptoms and aids in a faster recovery, thereby reducing the patient’s stay in the hospital, especially when it is done in the initial stages of the illness.
Lung Biopsy: Lung Biopsy is carried out for children with chronic lung conditions, which may be difficult to diagnose, even after numerous tests. The Lung Biopsy is done using three small incisions, through which, the targeted area of the lung is biopsied. Diagnosis is achieved in almost 95% of the biopsies. It eliminates the requirement a large incision and its associated complications, while providing the same amount of tissue for analysis, as that of thoracotomy. Due to limited post-operative pain, and discomfort which does not compromise respiration, this procedure is well tolerated, even in children with advanced lung disease.
Spontaneous Pneumothorax: Pneumothorax is a life-threatening condition in which the lung collapses. Teenagers progressing through their adolescent growth spurt and children with underlying lung diseases, like apical cysts or cystic fibrosis are more prone to pneumothorax. The lungs need to be re-expanded to allow healing and removal of symptoms. Thoracoscopy is recommended for children with a recurring pneumothorax. The apical cysts (if present) are removed with an endoscopic stapling device. To carry out this procedure, three small incisions of 5mm – 12mm are made. To avoid air leaks in the future, the pleural cavity lining is abraided so that the lung adheres to the chest wall.