Thoracoscopy: anesthetic considerations

Thoracoscopy is surgical procedure which was performed in the early 1900s primarily for the treatment of tuberculosis until antibiotics became the treatment of choice. Over the last two decades, thoracoscopy has experienced a rebirth as the indications for this endoscopic procedure have become numerous. Although less invasive than the thoracotomy, thoracoscopy is not without potential complications. The anesthesia provider must be alert for problems related to one-lung ventilation, lateral positioning, and pleural cavity insufflation. The anesthetic technique must be planned with the physiological changes which occur during thoracoscopy in mind.