The effect of lung biopsy on lung function in diffuse lung disease

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect on lung function of lun g biopsy used in the diagnosis of diffuse lung disease carried out by an op en procedure or by video-assisted thoracoscopy, One hundred and sixteen patients with diffuse lung disease who attended the Royal Brompton Hospital were studied retrospectively Thirty five patients underwent open lung biopsy, and 33 video-assisted thoracoscopic biopsy and 48 had their diagnosis made without biopsy. All patients underwent lung fun ction tests before and after surgery, or at an interval of 3-6 months in th ose who did not undergo biopsy. No significant differences were found in changes in lung function between t hose who had and had not undergone biopsy, and the proportions of patients whose lung function Improved or deteriorated were similar. Lung biopsy by a n open procedure or by video-assisted thoracoscopy did not differ in its ef fects on lung function. The results for older patients, those with severe d isease and those with fibrosing alveolitis were the same as for the whole g roup. Open lung biopsy for the diagnosis of diffuse lung disease does not deleter iously affect lung function whether carried out by an open or a minimally i nvasive procedure.