VIDEOTHORACOSCOPIC LUNG-BIOPSY BY A STAPLING TECHNIQUE

Objectives: To describe initial experience with a new technique for ob taining lung biopsy specimens using video-thoracoscopy and Multifire E ndo GIA(R) (U.S. Surgical Corporation) stapler. Design: Retrospective study. Setting: Central hospital, Denmark. Subjects: Nine patients wit h suspected pulmonary fibrosis. Main outcome measures: Diagnosis, morb idity, and mortality. Results: The endoscopic method provided a specim en of lung tissue large enough to secure a reliable diagnosis in all c ases. Conclusion: The thoracoscopic technique implies less surgical tr auma than thoracotomy resulting in less postoperative gain and a bette r cosmetic result. In patients suitable for general anaesthesia the en doscopic method for obtaining lung tissue specimen seems to be the ide al method.