VIDEOTHORACOSCOPIC LUNG-BIOPSY BY A STAPLING TECHNIQUE

Objectives: To describe initial experience with a new technique for obtaining lung biopsy specimens using video-thoracoscopy and Multifire Endo GIA(R) (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 gain 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.