Minimally invasive surgical techniques have the minimally invasive procedure allow far made a significant impact in lowering morbidity modifications in anesthetic technique. The and mortality and in changing the indications basics of this endeavor are weIl covered in this for operative surgery in the abdomen. Only section. recently have these minimally invasive tech- The basic techniques of thoracoscopic surgery niques been applied to the diseases of the tho- were developed in various diagnostic maneu- rax. The standard posterior lateral thoracotomy vers. It was this initial diagnostic application of infamous for its post-operative pain and atten- thoraeoseopy whieh aIlowed these teehniques to dant complications, is already being replaced in be developed and further therapeutie applica- a large number of situations by minimally inva- tions to be forwarded. This text nicely illustrates sive thoracoscopic techniques. eurrent diagnostie techniques and their applica- This text by Gossot, Kleinmann and Levi pro- tion. vides basic information required for surgeons In addition, the most commonly applied thera- interested in approaching the most common peutie proeedures in the pleura, lung and eso- diseases in the ehest utilizing thoracoscopic phagus are weIl eovered as are their indications techniques. The text is a well organized attempt and potential eomplications.