What is thoracoscopic biopsy?

Thoracoscopy is a procedure a doctor uses to look at the space inside the chest (outside of the lungs). This is done with a thoracoscope, a thin, flexible tube with a light and a small video camera on the end. The tube is put in through a small cut made near the lower end of the shoulder blade between the ribs.

What can I expect after a thoracoscopy?

You may notice that your bowel movements are not regular right after your procedure. This is common. Try to avoid constipation and straining with bowel movements. You may want to take a fibre supplement every day.

How do you perform a mediastinal mass biopsy?

Diagnosis of Mediastinal Tumors

1. CT-guided needle biopsy: may make the diagnosis.
2. Mediastinoscopy: provides a sample of the tissue for the middle mediastinum.
3. Anterior mediastinotomy (Chamberlain procedure): Just beside the sternum, an incision is made in the chest to get a piece of tissue from the mass.

How is a thoracoscopy done after a mediastinal biopsy?

After biopsy and/or removal of one or several LNs, the skin was closed with a resorbable subcutaneous suture and a small suction drain was kept in place for a few hours. The patient was usually discharged from the hospital the day after surgery. Thoracoscopy was performed according to the general rules of thoracoscopic approach of the mediastinum.

Is the diagnostic yield of mediastinoscopy comparable to thoracoscopy?

The diagnostic yield of mediastinoscopy is comparable to thoracoscopy. Complication rate and hospital stay of patients undergoing mediastinoscopy are significantly inferior. Thoracoscopy should be indicated only for lesions that are not within the reach of the mediastinoscope or when multiple biopsy specimens are necessary.

Can a mediastinal biopsy be done through a vat?

With the widespread acceptance of minimally invasive surgery and video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), it has been suggested that most minor thoracic procedures, eg, mediastinal biopsy, might be performed through the thoracoscope, making other surgical approaches obsolete.

What kind of procedure is a mediastinoscopy?

Either cervical mediastinoscopy or, less frequently, parasternal (or anterior, Chamberlain Procedure) mediastinoscopy may be performed. Tube thoracostomy is a bedside procedure in which a drainage tube is placed into the pleural space via a small incision. The tube is connected to a closed drainage system that can be placed to suction.