%0 Journal Article
%T Thoracoscopy in Cameroon: Indications, Technics and Short Term Results
%A Guy Aristide Bang
%A Richard II Mbele
%A Fabrice Stephane Arroye Betou
%A Arlette Joelle Moukitek Banaken
%A Amos Bella Ela
%A Charles Mve Mvondo
%A Arthur Essomba
%J Surgical Science
%P 278-288
%@ 2157-9415
%D 2024
%I Scientific Research Publishing
%R 10.4236/ss.2024.154026
%X <b>Introductio</b><b>n:</b> Thoracoscopy is a video-assisted surgical approach that mirrors the techniques used in thoracotomy. Our aim is to map the current state of thoracoscopy practice in Cameroon’s hospitals. <b>Methods</b><b>:</b> This was a descriptive study that collected both retrospective and prospective data over 57 months across four hospitals in Cameroon. It included 13 patients and focused on variables such as socio-demographic factors, clinical profiles, surgical procedures, and postoperative follow-up. <b>Results:</b> Thirteen patients, predominantly male (84.6%, n = 11), with a mean age of 37.5 ± 16 years, were enrolled. Alcohol use (61.5%) and smoking (38.5%) were the most common past histories. The major complaints were dyspnea (84.6%) and chest pain (58.3%). The primary surgical procedure was clot-free thoracoscopy in 30.8% of cases, mainly for persistent hemothorax (41.8%). Most surgeries were elective (76.9%) and performed under general anesthesia with selective intubation (61.5%). The most common approach was single-port thoracoscopy (U-VATS) (76.9%), with no reported difficulties; however, one intraoperative incident occurred and was successfully treated. Drainage was performed systematically in all patients, and one case required conversion to open surgery. Postoperative complications were minor (Clavien-Dindo grade I) and mainly consisted of pain, with a mortality rate of 15.4%. No significant association was found between risk factors and the occurrence of complications or postoperative mortality. <b>Conclusion</b><b>:</b> Thoracoscopy, a novel approach in our context, primarily focuses on minor thoracic surgeries.
%K Thoracoscopy
%K Single-Port
%K Hemothorax
%K Cameroon
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=132718