Patients suffering from any diffuse lung diseases or conditions may be asked to undergo a lung biopsy, where samples of the lung tissues are obtained through various techniques. There are different types of lung biopsies that may be conducted on patients, some of which include the open lung biopsy, the needle biopsy and the thoracoscopic lung biopsy
The thoracoscopic lung biopsy, also referred to, as a thoracic lung biopsy, can be described as a relatively safe procedure, for diagnosing conditions like Usual Interstitial Pneumonia (UIP) in a person. During this procedure, a surgeon is required to apply local anesthesia on the chest area, before making a few small incisions. In order to minimize any damage to the nerves and muscles, the incisions are made right between the ribs. Through these incisions, the surgeon will need to insert an endoscope, a slender tube with a camera or a viewing mirror attached to it, through the chest wall. This makes it possible for the surgeon to view the lungs as well as some of the other structures in the chest cavity. Surgical instruments to obtain samples of the lung tissue are also inserted through the other incisions made on the chest wall.
During the course of a thoracoscopic lung biopsy surgery one lung needs to be partially deflated. After the lung tissue samples have be obtained by the surgeon, the lung is inflated once again. This is why this procedure may not be ideal for those patients, who have poor lung function for any reason. Those who have been through a surgery on the chest cavity or who face problems with blood clotting are also not usually considered for the thoracoscopic lung biopsy. In the final stages of the biopsy, all the incisions are closed and bandaged, but one is usually left open, so that the fluid can drain out.
At times, in case of an emergency, a doctor may need to perform a thoracoscopic lung biopsy in children or infants too. This procedure is more common in children suffering from Diffuse Parenchymal Lung Disease (DPLD).
Just like in the case of other invasive testing procedures, there are certain risks and complications that are associated with the thoracoscopic lung biopsy too. All patients are required to follow a few steps during the recovery procedure to minimize the risks. All patients are strongly urged to set up an appointment with their surgeons beforehand, to get any queries about this procedure clarified.