Thoracoscopic practices in India- A Survey by indian chest society

•Diagnostic thoracentesis is the initial diagnostic investigation in the workup of an undiagnosed Pleural effusion. Medical thoracoscopy (MT) has a high diagnostic yield. This survey endeavor to study the practice of this technique by respiratory physicians in India.•An electronic survey called `Indian Thoracoscopy survey' was prepared and conducted under the aegis of Indian Chest Society. The subjects were recruited from the e-mail lists of the three major RESPIRATORY SOCIETIES. Only 311 respondents performed MT. Of these, 190 used flex-rigid/semi rigid thoracoscopes. Undiagnosed pleural effusions and recurrent pleural effusions were the most common indications for performing MT.•MT seems to be increasing in popularity with significant numbers of respiratory physicians performing the procedure.