Video-assisted thoracoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of pleural effusion with unknown causes / 中国微创外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the value of video-assisted thoracoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of pleural effusion with unknown causes.Methods Video-assisted thoracoscopic biopsy or pleurodesis was performed in 45 cases of pleural effusion unexplained by routine examinations from March 2002 to March 2005.Results The diagnosis was clarified in all the 45 cases.There were 3 cases of malignant effusion,38 cases of tuberculous pleurisy,3 cases of nonspecific effusion,and 1 case of idiopathic pleural effusion.No severe surgical complications occurred.Follow-up checkups for 2~36 months found no recurrence.Conclusions Video-assisted thoracoscopy is a safe,effective,and micro-traumatic approach for the diagnosis and treatment of pleural effusion.