Abstract
Videoendoscopic surgery is commonly used to obtain a definitive diagnosis in a patient with pleural lesions or pulmonary infiltration of unknown etiology. We have performed minimally invasive pleural and lung biopsies, using 2-mm mini-videoscopic instruments supported by standard thoracoscpy via one 11.5-mm port, in 10 patients. These involved 8 patients with diffuse pulmonary infiltration, and two with diffuse pleural thickening. They underwent thoracoscopic pulmonary wedge resection and pleural biopsy using one 11.5-mm port and two or three 2-mm mini-ports. The mean operating time was 37 minutes. This procedure was successful in establishing a definitive diagnosis in each patient. Complications included subacute acceleration in pulmonary infiltration in one patient. No patient complained of pain or discomfort at the 2 mm-thoraco port sites. Healing of this port site resulted in excellent cosmesis. Mini-videoscopic surgery supported by standard thoracoscopic equipment can be used to perform lung or pleural biopsy less invasively than standard thoracoscopic approach.
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Yamada, S., Kosaka, A., Masuda, M. et al. Minimally invasive lung and pleural biopsies using 2-mm and standard thoracoscopic equipment. Jpn J Thorac Caridovasc Surg 48, 700–702 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03218235
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03218235