16. Thoracoscopy

A thoracoscopy is performed to evaluate intrathoracic structures in elective conditions, and is not recommended for emergency situations [22]. It is a minimally invasive method used to clean clots from inside the thorax, to visualize diaphragm injuries, to examine the pericardium, and to remove foreign objects, to control bleeding and for the insertion of a chest tube. The patient must be stable enough to tolerate a double-lumen intubation [42, 43].
