Abstract
IntroductionMedical thoracoscopy is an invasive procedure that may be performed by physicians for the investigation of exudative pleural effusion using local anesthesia, conscious sedation, and a rigid thoracoscope.ObjectiveThe aim was to evaluate the outcome of thoracoscopy in Abbassia Chest Hospital, Cairo.Patients and methodsA retrospective study was conducted. The results of histopathological diagnosed was statistically analyzed.ResultsA total of 123 patients were available for analysis. Their mean age was 58.63 (22–80) years, and 64 (52%) were male. The mean duration of chest drain after procedure was 9.79 (3–41) days, and the duration of hospital stay was 24.54 (10–55) days.Malignant histology was reported in 108 (87.8%) patients, with 75 (61%) cases of mesothelioma. In 108 (87.8%) patients, pleurodesis was performed.The incidence of complications among the patients was 12.2% of all patients. The most common complications were blocked drain and empyema; other complications included subcutaneous emphysema, drain dislodgement, and bronchopleural fistula; and the least common complications were respiratory failure and atrial fibrillation.ConclusionThoracoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that allows visualization of the pleural space and intrathoracic structures. It enables taking pleural biopsies under direct vision, therapeutic drainage of effusions, and pleurodesis in one sitting.
Highlights
Medical thoracoscopy is an invasive procedure that may be performed by physicians for the investigation of exudative pleural effusion using local anesthesia, conscious sedation, and a rigid thoracoscope
Exclusion criteria were as follows: (a) general contraindications to thoracoscopy, (b) lack of a pleural space owing to pleural adhesions, (c) inability to lay supine, (d) inability to tolerate a pneumothorax, (e) severe cardiac disease, (f) severe respiratory disease unrelated to the effusion, (g) severe coagulopathy, (h) uncontrolled cough, and (i) hypoxemia not owing to pleural effusions [2]
Major contraindications to thoracoscopy include the lack of a pleural space owing to pleural adhesions, inability to lay supine, inability to tolerate a pneumothorax, severe cardiac disease, severe respiratory disease unrelated to the effusion, and severe coagulopathy
Summary
Medical thoracoscopy is an invasive procedure that may be performed by physicians for the investigation of exudative pleural effusion using local anesthesia, conscious sedation, and a rigid thoracoscope. Exclusion criteria were as follows: (a) general contraindications to thoracoscopy, (b) lack of a pleural space owing to pleural adhesions, (c) inability to lay supine, (d) inability to tolerate a pneumothorax, (e) severe cardiac disease, (f) severe respiratory disease unrelated to the effusion, (g) severe coagulopathy (i.e. platelet count
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