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THE EFFICACY OF OPEN LUNG BIOPSY
Author(s) -
Neuhaus Susan J.,
Matar Kevin S.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.111
H-Index - 51
eISSN - 1445-2197
pISSN - 0004-8682
DOI - 10.1111/j.1445-2197.1997.tb01936.x
Subject(s) - medicine , biopsy , lung , lung biopsy , retrospective cohort study , radiology , surgery , pulmonary function testing
Background : The morbidity and mortality of open lung biopsy was assessed, and the ability to provide a specific diagnosis in the assessment of patients with diffuse radiographic pulmonary infiltrates was determined. Methods : A retrospective analysis was undertaken from January 1990 to May 1995 of all patients undergoing open lung biopsy during the study period. A total of 127 biopsies were performed. The indications were diffuse, infiltrative or multinodular disease. Forty‐two (33%) patients had previously undergone non‐diagnostic trans‐bronchial biopsy. Results : Open lung biopsy obtained a histological diagnosis in 121 (95.3%) patients. Postoperative in‐hospital mortality was 4.7% (six patients). Three of the four patients being ventilated at the time of biopsy died. Thirty‐six (28.3%) patients suffered one or more morbid events. Patients with decreased lung function, as measured by forced expiratory volume, experienced a higher risk of a morbid event ( P < 0.01). There was no significant correlation between the chance of a morbid event and age, sex or the use of multiple biopsy sites. A presumptive diagnosis was made prior to biopsy in 71 patients (55.9%) and was proven correct in 43.6% of cases. Conclusions : Open lung biopsy in patients with diffuse pulmonary disease is an accurate diagnostic tool and has an acceptable morbidity and mortality associated with the procedure.