<span name="style_bold">Aim: </span>To analyze the usefulness of VAT Surgery at the Dr. Rafael A. Calderón Guardia Hospital. <span name="style_bold">Materials and Methods: </span>With the purpose of assessing the experience acquired with the practice of VAT Surgery during the first 10 years, clinical data of 788 patients treated via thoracoscopic procedures at the Thoracic Surgery Department via, from March 1999 to March 2009, was studied. <span name="style_bold">Results:</span>During this 11 year period, 25% of the department’s surgical procedures were performed via a thoracoscopic approach; however, during the last 2 years of this percentage increased to 49%. Clinical records of patients that underwent diagnostic procedures or resections of neoplasms were analyzed. Diagnosis was obtained in 97.4% of patients subjected to diagnostic procedures. Tumors that were more difficult to diagnose were those of the mediastinum, in 2 of these cases the pathologist requested a larger sample. No major procedures were performed by this method. There was no mortality. The conversion percentage was of 2.6%, in 20% was because of bleeding and in 80% in order to perform a major procedure. <span name="style_bold">Conclusion: </span>Thoracoscopy has revolutionized the field of medicine, superseding previous approaches such as a toracotomy for simpler procedures, allowing surgeons to perform complex operationts with lesser morbidity. The results obtained show both satisfaction for patients and usefulness for the institution.Thoracoscopy has revolutionized the field of medicine, superseding previous approaches such as a toracotomy for simpler procedures, allowing surgeons to perform complex operationts with lesser morbidity. The results obtained show both satisfaction for patients and usefulness for the institution.

Thoracoscopy; VATS surgery; hyperperhidrosis; neumothorax; mesothelioma; empyema