Surgical lung biopsy.

• To inspect abnormalities in the lung that require surgical biopsy.
• To obtain lung tissue for examination to confirm or rule out lung diseases, including cancer.
• To investigate causes of unexplained fluid in the pleural cavity.

• A sample of lung tissue is obtained for analysis in the laboratory for the presence of abnormal cells, infection, or inflammation.
• Prior to the test, you will have a chest X-ray, electrocardiogram, and various blood tests. An arterial blood gas and a pulmonary function test may also be done.

• Avoid eating and drinking for 12 hours before the procedure.
• General anesthesia is administered and preparations are made for chest surgery.
• A soft breathing tube is inserted through your windpipe (a procedure known as endotracheal intubation) to make sure you breathe properly during the procedure.

• An incision is made between two ribs near the breast bone.
• The abnormal area of the lung is identified.
• Small wedges of lung tissue are removed for microscopic and laboratory examination. A biopsy sample may be sent to the pathology lab for a frozen section. If the biopsy shows cancer, more extensive surgery may be performed to remove the tumor and all or part of the lung.
• A chest tube is placed in the pleural space to remove air and fluids, and will remain in place for several days. When drainage of air and fluids stops, the tube is removed.

You will be taken to a recovery room for observation and to recover from anesthesia. Depending on the underlying illness, you will return to your hospital room for 3 to 7 days (average) of recuperation.

The doctor may make the diagnosis by observing the structures in the chest. The biopsy sample will be studied microscopically; cultures may also be performed.

It provides definitive diagnosis of several disorders of the lung and chest.

• It's invasive.
• It requires general anesthesia and several days of hospitalization.

Treatment of underlying condition.