ObjectiveTo investigate surgical indications and techniques of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for mediastinal lymph node tuberculosis. MethodsClinical data of 27 patients who underwent VATS for mediastinal lymph node tuberculosis between January 2010 and March 2013 in Wuhan Medical Treatment Center were retrospectively analyzed. There were 16 male and 11 female patients with their age of 18-67 (30.23±10.72) years. ResultsThere was no in-hospital death. Postoperative complications included recurrent laryngeal nerve injury in 1 patient, delayed wound healing in 1 patient and pneumothorax in 1 patient. Postoperatively, all the patients received intensified anti-tubercular treatment, and were engaged in normal physical activities during follow-up of 6 months. ConclusionVATS is safe and reliable for the treatment of mediastinal lymph node tuberculosis, and anti-tubercular treatment is needed before and after the operation.