Thoracoscopic mediastinal exploration with local anesthesia. First case at the Hospital General de México

Abstract

Thoracoscopy in non-intubated patients is a minimally invasive procedure that allows for performing thoracic procedures without the need for orotracheal intubation. In this article, we describe the case of a patient with renal failure who needed haemodialysis. A Mahurkar catheter was used and, unfortunately, the tip of it was inside the pleural cavity. We decided to remove the catheter by means of a thoracoscopy since there was a possibility of haemorrhage that would need to be controlled. We considered it important to report this case because nowadays it is feasible to perform thoracic surgery without intubation, including complex procedures such as pulmonary biopsy or lobectomy, in carefully selected patients. It is important to mention that it is not possible to use this technique in all cases, but only in carefully selected cases.

Keywords

• Non-intubated patient thoracoscopy
• Local anaesthesia
• Mediastinal exploration
• Sedoanalgesia