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Videothoracoscopic lung biopsy by a stapling technique
N Bentzon1, S Adamsen, B Jacobsen
1Department of Surgery, Hillerød Hospital, Denmark.
Objectives:
To describe initial experience with a new technique for obtaining lung biopsy specimens using video-thoracoscopy and Multifire Endo GIA (U.S. Surgical Corporation) stapler.
Design:
Retrospective study.
Setting:
Central hospital, Denmark.
Subjects:
Nine patients with suspected pulmonary fibrosis.
Main Outcome Measures:
Diagnosis, morbidity, and mortality.
Results:
The endoscopic method provided a specimen of lung tissue large enough to secure a reliable diagnosis in all cases.
Conclusion:
The thoracoscopic technique implies less surgical trauma than thoracotomy resulting in less postoperative pain and a better cosmetic result. In patients suitable for general anaesthesia the endoscopic method for obtaining lung tissue specimen seems to be the ideal method.