Open pleural biopsy: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

P 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.

T How the Test is Performed
P An open pleural biopsy is done in the hospital using general anesthesia. This means you will be asleep and pain-free. A tube will be placed through your mouth down your throat to help you breathe.
P 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.
- A scope may be inserted to see the area to be biopsied.
- 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.

T How to Prepare for the Test
P 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.
P Follow your surgeon's instructions for not eating or drinking before the procedure.

T How the Test will Feel
P When you wake up after the procedure, you will feel drowsy for several hours.
P 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.
P You may have a sore throat from the breathing tube. You can ease the pain by eating ice chips.
P You may have a tube in your chest to remove air. This will be removed later.

T Why the Test is Performed
P 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, a type of lung tumor.
P 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.
P This procedure may also be done to examine a metastatic pleural tumor.

T Normal Results
P The pleura will be normal.

T What Abnormal Results Mean
P Abnormal findings may be due to:
- Abnormal tissue growth (neoplasms)
- Disease due to a virus, fungus, or parasite
- Mesothelioma
- Tuberculosis

T Risks
P There is a slight chance of:
- Air leak
- Excess blood loss
- Infection
- Injury to the lung
- Pneumothorax (collapsed lung)

T Alternative Names
P Biopsy - open pleura

T Images
- Lungs
- Incision for pleural tissue biopsy
- Pleural cavity

T References
P Chernecky CC, Berger BJ. Biopsy, site specific – specimen. In: Chernecky CC, Berger BJ, eds. Laboratory Tests and Diagnostic Procedures. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2013:199-202.
P Putnam JB. Lung, chest wall, pleura, and mediastinum. In: Townsend CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 20th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 57.

T Review Date 11/11/2016
P Updated by: Mary C. Mancini, MD, PhD, Department of Surgery, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-Shreveport, Shreveport, Louisiana. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

