The Royal Hospital in Muscat has introduced a medical thoracoscopy service designed to improve the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory conditions. The newly launched procedure aims to enhance the management of lung and pleural diseases by offering a less invasive alternative to conventional surgery.

Dr. Yaqoub bin Salam al Hadhrami, Senior Consultant and Head of the Respiratory Diseases Unit at the Royal Hospital, stated that the service is currently being performed two to four times per week, with all cases reported as successful to date. According to Dr. al Hadhrami, medical thoracoscopy involves the use of an endoscope inserted through a small incision measuring approximately 2 to 3 centimeters, which contrasts with traditional surgical methods that require larger incisions and general anesthesia.

The advantages of the thoracoscopy procedure include shorter hospital stays lasting only a few hours, reduced anesthesia requirements, and a quicker recovery period. These benefits make it particularly suitable for patients with respiratory diseases of unclear origin as well as those for whom conventional surgery carries heightened risks.

By integrating this advanced technique, the hospital seeks to improve the precision of chest care and offer a safer diagnostic and therapeutic option for patients with complex respiratory conditions. The initiative reflects a broader effort to adopt minimally invasive technologies in the treatment of thoracic diseases.