Objective: The purpose of this study was to discuss minimal invasive surgical options for surgical thoracic pathologies in the pediatric age group.

Material and Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed for 45 patients who had undergone thoracoscopic surgery by a single surgeon. The underlying pathologies, surgical procedures and anesthetic aspects and postoperative outcomes were analyzed.

Results: Forty-five children underwent thoracoscopic surgery in a ten-year period. The conditions requiring thoracoscopic surgery were congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), esophageal atresia (EA), congenital malformations, pulmonary and mediastinal masses, empyema, spontaneous pneumothorax, and interstitial lung diseases. There were 21 girls and 24 boys. The mean age of the children except the CDH and EA cases was 4.5 years (n=33, 2 months to 17 years). The mean age of the children with CDH and EA was 5.5 days (n=12, 1 day to 8 months). There were 6 conversions in total. The mean chest tube removal time was 6 days (1-24 days). The mean hospital stay was 9 days (3-34 days).

Conclusion: Thoracoscopy in the pediatric age group is safe and feasible in experienced hands. Each child and condition should be evaluated individually to avoid complications

Keywords: Congenital lung malformations, Lobectomy, Minimal invasive lung surgery, Thoracoscopy