Tuberc Respir Dis.
2024 Apr;87(2):194-199. 10.4046/trd.2023.0102.
Role of Single Port Rigid Thoracoscopy in Undiagnosed Pleural Effusion
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Respiratory Medicine, Shri Guru Ram Rai Institute of Medical & Health Sciences, Dehradun, India
- 2Department of Respiratory Medicine, Adesh Medical College & Hospital, Kurukshetra, India
- 3Department Pulmonary Medicine, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
- KMID: 2553778
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.4046/trd.2023.0102
Abstract
- Background
In recent years, medical thoracoscopy has been well established to play an important role in undiagnosed pleural effusion; however, this procedure is underutilized due to limited availability of the instruments it requires. This study analysed the outcome of single port rigid thoracoscopy in patients with undiagnosed pleural effusions.
Methods
This study retrospectively analysed the outcomes of all patients with undiagnosed pleural effusion presenting to our centre between 2016 to 2020 who underwent single port rigid medical thoracoscopy as a diagnostic procedure.
Results
In total, 92 patients underwent single port rigid medical thoracoscopy. The most common presenting symptom was shortness of breath. A majority of the patients had lymphocytic exudative pleural effusion. The average biopsy sample size was 18 mm, and no major complication was reported in any of the patients.
Conclusion
Single port rigid thoracoscopy is a safe and well-tolerated procedure that yields a biopsy of a larger size with high diagnostic yield. Moreover, the low cost of the instruments required by this procedure makes it particularly suited for use in developing countries.
