Open pleural biopsy

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Lungs

Incision for pleural tissue biopsy

Open pleural biopsy

Definition:

The pleura is the membrane lining the chest cavity and covering the lungs. In an open pleural biopsy, a sample of the pleura is taken through an incision made in the chest wall. It is then examined for abnormalities in the laboratory.

Alternative Names:

Biopsy - open pleura

How the test is performed:

This procedure is done in the hospital using general anesthesia (the patient is unconscious and pain-free). During the procedure, you are given a mixture of anesthetic gas and oxygen through a tube that is inserted through your mouth and into the trachea.

An incision is made in the chest on the left or right side. A sample is taken from the pleura (lung membrane) under direct observation. After the sample is obtained, a chest tube is placed and the incision is stitched closed.

How to prepare for the test:

You will be asked not to eat or drink for 8 hours before the test. You must sign a consent form.

How the test will feel:

You will be asleep during the procedure. There will be some tenderness and pain at the site of the incision afterwards. You may have a sore throat after the test due to the breathing tube.

Why the test is performed:

This procedure is used when a larger sample is needed than can be obtained by a pleural needle biopsy. The procedure is done when no body fluids are in the pleura or when a direct view of the pleura and the lungs is necessary.

Review Date: 10/30/2004
Reviewed By: Mary C. Mancini, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Surgery, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-Shreveport, Shreveport, LA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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