Developing a Local Anaesthetic Thoracoscopy Service

Local Anaesthetics Thoracoscopy (LAT) is an essential tool in the early diagnosis and staging of lung cancer. Commonly referred to as “medical thoracoscopy” or “pleuroscopy”, LAT is a minimally invasive procedure that involves passing a small endoscope through the chest wall. It plays an important role in obtaining quality biopsies to confirm or refute a diagnosis of pleural malignancy, and is a vital tool in cancer staging.

This work will see the introduction of a Local Anaesthetic Thoracoscopy service at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board which will offer patients more accurate and timely diagnosis for both lung cancer and mesothelioma.