Efficacy of video assisted thoracoscopic lung biopsy: an historical comparison with open lung biopsy.

Abstract

Video assisted thoracoscopic lung biopsy is as effective in providing histological diagnosis as is open lung biopsy. All postoperative complications were related to post thoracotomy pain and occurred only in patients undergoing open lung biopsy. Reduced postoperative disability in the video assisted thoracoscopic group decreased hospital stay, offsetting the increased cost in disposables. The overall cost of video assisted thoracoscopic and open lung biopsy was 712 pounds and 1114 pounds, respectively.