2.3. Surgical procedure
COLLAPSE, CAVITY
All patients were operated on by the same surgeon. The patients were placed into a semi-fowler position with arms abducted. Two thoracoscopic ports were inserted: the first – at the intersection of the anterior axillary line with pectoralis major muscle border; the second—on the anterior axillary line at 5th of 6th intercostal space. The first port was used for surgical instruments and the second for the thoracoscope. Following the entry into the pleural cavity the lung usually deflated providing ample space for manipulation. However, in some cases the lung didn’t deflate immediately. In these cases, gentle pressure was applied to the lung to facilitate its collapse. The cases which took All patients were followed in a surgical ward after the procedure. Postoperative postero-anterior chest films were obtained, and all patients were discharged on the same day.