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Open pleural biopsy
Biopsy - open pleura
An open pleural biopsy is a procedure to remove and examine the tissue that lines the inside of the chest. This tissue is called the pleura.
How the Test is Performed
An open pleural biopsy is done in the hospital using general anesthesia , which means you are asleep and pain-free. A tube will be placed through your mouth down your throat to help you breathe.
General anesthesia
General anesthesia is treatment with certain medicines that puts you into a deep sleep so you do not feel pain during surgery. After you receive the...
The surgery is done in the following way:
- After cleaning the skin, the surgeon makes a small cut in the left or right side of the chest.
- The ribs are gently separated.
- Tissue is taken from inside the chest and sent to a laboratory for examination.
- After surgery, the wound is closed with stitches.
- Your surgeon may decide to leave a small plastic tube in your chest to prevent air and fluid from building up
How to Prepare for the Test
You should tell the health care provider if you are pregnant, allergic to any medicines, or if you have a bleeding problem. Be sure to tell your provider about all the medicines you take, including herbs, supplements, and those bought without a prescription.
Follow your surgeon's instructions for not eating or drinking before the procedure.
How the Test will Feel
When you wake up after the procedure, you will feel drowsy for several hours.
There will be some tenderness and pain where the surgical cut is located. Most surgeons inject a long-acting local anesthetic at the surgical cut site so that you will have very little pain afterwards.
You may have a sore throat from the breathing tube. You can ease the pain by eating ice chips.
Why the Test is Performed
This procedure is used when the surgeon needs a larger piece of tissue than can be removed with a pleural needle biopsy . The test is most often done to rule out mesothelioma .
Pleural needle biopsy
Pleural biopsy is a procedure to remove a sample of the tissue lining, the lungs, and the inside of the chest wall to check for disease or infection....
Mesothelioma
Malignant mesothelioma is an uncommon cancerous tumor. It mainly affects the lining of the lung and chest cavity (pleura) or lining of the abdomen (...
It is also done when there is fluid in the chest cavity, or when a direct view of the pleura and the lungs is needed.
This procedure may also be done to examine a metastatic pleural tumor .
Metastatic pleural tumor
Metastatic pleural tumor is a type of cancer that has spread from another organ to the thin membrane (pleura) surrounding the lungs.
Normal Results
The pleura will be normal.
What Abnormal Results Mean
Abnormal findings may be due to:
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Abnormal tissue growth (
neoplasms
)
Neoplasms
A tumor is an abnormal growth of body tissue. Tumors can be cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign).
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- Mesothelioma
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Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious bacterial infection that involves the lungs. It may spread to other organs.
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Risks
There is a slight chance of:
- Air leak
- Excess blood loss
- Infection
- Injury to the lung
-
Pneumothorax
Pneumothorax
A collapsed lung occurs when air escapes from the lung. The air then fills the space outside of the lung, between the lung and chest wall. This bui...
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References
Putnam JB Jr. Lung, chest wall, pleura, and mediastinum. In: Townsend CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery . 19th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2012:chap 58.
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Lungs - illustration
The major features of the lungs include the bronchi, the bronchioles and the alveoli. The alveoli are the microscopic blood vessel-lined sacks in which oxygen and carbon dioxide gas are exchanged.
Lungs
illustration
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Incision for pleural tissue biopsy - illustration
In an open pleural biopsy, a small piece of the pleural tissue is removed through a surgical incision in the chest. After the sample is obtained, a chest tube is placed and the incision is closed with stitches. Abnormal results may indicate tuberculosis, abnormal growths, viral, fungal, and parasitic diseases.
Incision for pleural tissue biopsy
illustration
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Pleural cavity - illustration
The pleural cavity is composed of the layers of the membrane lining the lung and the chest cavity.
Pleural cavity
illustration
-
Lungs - illustration
The major features of the lungs include the bronchi, the bronchioles and the alveoli. The alveoli are the microscopic blood vessel-lined sacks in which oxygen and carbon dioxide gas are exchanged.
Lungs
illustration
-
Incision for pleural tissue biopsy - illustration
In an open pleural biopsy, a small piece of the pleural tissue is removed through a surgical incision in the chest. After the sample is obtained, a chest tube is placed and the incision is closed with stitches. Abnormal results may indicate tuberculosis, abnormal growths, viral, fungal, and parasitic diseases.
Incision for pleural tissue biopsy
illustration
-
Pleural cavity - illustration
The pleural cavity is composed of the layers of the membrane lining the lung and the chest cavity.
Pleural cavity
illustration
Review Date: 11/4/2014
Reviewed By: John A. Daller, MD, PhD., Department of Surgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
