A General.- 1 Historical Development.- 2 Endoscopic Anatomy.- 3 Operative Technique.- 3.1 Instrument Set.- 3.2 The Operating Team.- 3.3 Preparing the Patient.- 3.4 Patient Positioning.- 3.5 Anaesthesia.- 3.6 Inducing the Pneumothorax.- 3.7 Drainage.- 3.8 Operating Theatre Layout.- 3.9 Incision Sites.- 3.10 General Operative Steps.- 3.11 After-Care in the Hospital.- 4 Dangers and Risks of the Method.- 5 Prevention of Thrombosis and Prophylactic Antibiotics.- 5.1 Prevention of Thrombosis.- 5.2 Prophylactic Antibiotics.- 6 Prerequisites for Performing Surgical Thoracoscopy.- 7 Documentation - Methods and Uses.- B Specific Techniques.- 8 Thoracoscopy in Diagnosis.- 8.1 General.- 8.2 Operative Procedure.- 8.3 Our Own Experience.- 8.4 Possible Complications.- 8.5 Other Thoracoscopic Methods.- 9 Spontaneous Pneumothorax.- 9.1 General.- 9.2 Operative Procedure.- 9.3 Our Own Experience.- 9.4 Conclusions.- 9.5 Other Thoracoscopic Methods.- 10 Haemothorax.- 10.1 General.- 10.2 Operative Procedure.- 10.3 Our Own Experience.- 10.4 Conclusions.- 10.5 Other Thoracoscopic Methods.- 11 Chylothorax.- 11.1 General.- 11.2 Case Reports.- 11.3 Conclusions.- 12 Pleural Empyema.- 12.1 General.- 12.2 Operative Procedure.- 12.3 Our Own Experience.- 12.4 Conclusions.- 13 Bronchopleural Fistula.- 13.1 General.- 13.2 Operative Procedure.- 13.3 Our Own Experience.- 13.4 Conclusions.- 14 Sympathectomy.- 14.1 General.- 14.2 Operative Procedure.- 14.3 Our Own Experience.- 14.4 Conclusions.- 14.5 Other Methods.- 15 Resection of Cysts and Tumours in the Thoracic Cavity.- 15.1 Extrathoracic Tumours.- 15.2 Intrapulmonary Tumours.- 16 Pericardial Fenestration.- 16.1 General.- 16.2 Operative Procedure.- 16.3 Our Own Experience.- 16.4 Conclusions.- 17 Therapy of Malignant Effusions.- 17.1 General.- 17.2 Operative Procedure.- 17.3 Our Own Experience.- 17.4 Conclusions.- 18 Helpful Hints.- 19 The Current Situation and Prospects for the Future.- References.