Video-assisted thoracic surgery(VATS) is a developing technique that can be used in diagnosis and treatment of pleural and lung disease, with minimal incision. This article is aimed to describe the results of initial series of 96 VATS procedures, from October 1993 to May 1997.

VATS were performed in 64 pneumothorax, 18 hyperhidrosis 3 mediastinal tumor, 2 bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia, 2 lung carcinoma, 2 thoracic injury, 1 idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, 1 sarcoidosis, 1 T spine tumor, 1 Hodgkins disease with pericardial effusion and 1 chronic tuberculous empyema. Procedures included 64 bullectomy, 18 thoracic sympathectomy, 4 wedge resection biopsy of lung, 3 resection of mediastinal tumor, 2 diagnostic thoracoscopy in thoracic injury, 1 closure of dehiscenced postpneumonectomy bronchial stump, 1 biopsy of mediastinal lymph node in lung carcinoma, 1 biopsy of T spine, 1 pericadoromy in pericardial effusion and 1 debridement in chronic tuberculous empyema.

3 complications were developed(2 bleedings and 1 lung parenchymal injury) but no mortality. VATS is a safe and effective alternative to thoracotomy with minimal risk.