Objectives The purpose of this article was to review the video-assisted mediastinoscopic surgery (VAM) as diagnostic or therapeutic tools. Summary The VAM was indicated in diagnosis of pleural diseases, dissection or sampling of mediastinal or paraesophageal lymph nodes, nodal staging in lung cancer, or various therapeutic approaches. The advantages of VAM were included that was less painful, cosmetic merit, no need additional drain, and no effect of cardiopulmonary function. It was provided to surgeons wider and more detail operational field rather than conventional mediastinoscopic surgery. It was useful tool as training beginner surgeon, Although the VAM had limited indications, it would be feasible and important multi-purposal operational tools in mediastinal, pleural and lung diseases.