Methods: Between January 2007 and October 2010, 32 patients (22 males, 10 females; mean age 63.6 years; range 36 to 89 years) with a high cardiopulmonary risk index who underwent thoracoscopy under local anesthesia and sedation at Pamukkale University, School of Medicine, Department of Thoracic Surgery were included. Risk assessment was performed using the cardiopulmonary risk index. All procedures were performed in the operating room.

Results: The cardiopulmonary risk index points of the patients ranged from 7 to 37 (mean 13.6). None of the patients underwent general anesthesia, indotracheal intubation, or epidural or intercostal blockage. Pleural biopsy/effusion drainage, either with or without talc pleurodesis, was performed in fifteen patients, six had drainage and debridement of empyema, and four had a biopsy of a mediastinal lymph node. In addition, three patients had a partial pleurectomy for secondary pneumothorax, one underwent a biopsy of a mediastinal mass, and one had a hematoma removed. Furthermore, a foreign body was extracted from one patient, and a wedge resection for the diagnosis of multiple lung nodules was performed on another. None of the patients required a thoracotomy. Morbidity was observed in three patients (9%), but no mortality was seen.

Conclusion: Thoracoscopy performed under local anesthesia and sedation is a safe and effective, even for patients in poor general condition.