ABSTRACT
The therapeutic use of thoracoscopy is not a recent addition to our armamentarium (1). Illustrations in physiology textbooks from the 1950s show ports, forceps, and hooks similar to those still in use; optical interface with video transmission and the creation of endoscopic staplers and disposable instruments are the extent of new technology. For half a century, thoracoscopy has been an important adjunct to collapse therapy for tuberculosis, which was the mainstay of treatment prior to the advent of major antituberculous drugs. Thoracoscopy was used to separate pleural adhesions in order to create pneumothorax. It is therefore paradoxical that now one of the main indications for thoracoscopy is treatment of pneumothorax!
