A thoracoscopic peek: what did Jacobaeus see?

Abstract

More than 80 years ago, Jacobaeus inserted a cystoscope into the pleural space of patients with pleural diseases to visually examine the pathology. Subsequently, he courageously inserted a galvanocautery instrument into the pleural space through a separate entry site to divide adhesions between the lung and chest wall under direct vision. This was done to establish therapeutic pneumothorax for patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. The discovery of effective antituberculosis chemotherapy eliminated the need for lung collapse therapy, and thoracoscopy was discarded as no longer useful. Today, the enthusiasm for thoracoscopic surgical intervention, both diagnostic and therapeutic, is a result of applied technologic innovations. Rediscovery of thoracoscopy is exciting and expands the vision for both diagnostic and therapeutic applications predicted by Jacobaeus.