What Is Open Lung Biopsy Procedure?
An open lung biopsy is a surgical procedure to remove tissue from the lungs.
When Is It Used?
Open lung biopsies are invasive procedures and are generally used when other biopsy techniques are not conclusive.
What Happens During the Procedure?
Open lung biopsies are performed in hospitals under general anesthesia. Patients are asleep throughout the procedure and experience no pain. A breathing tube is inserted through the mouth and down the throat to help the patient breathe. The surgeon will make a small incision on the left or right side of your chest and gently separate the ribs.
The surgeon then removes tissue from the questionable area, which is sent for pathologic and microscopic evaluation. The surgeon closes the incision with stitches.
What’s Recovery Like?
The length and severity of recovery varies by patient. Some patients can go home the same day; others may require an overnight stay in the hospital. When you wake up, you’ll feel drowsy for a while and may experience some discomfort where the incision was made. You may also have a sore throat from the breathing tube.
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