title: Video-assisted thoracoscopic lung biopsy in the diagnosis of interstitial lung disease: a prospective, multi-center study in 224 patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate whether the location and number of lung biopsies obtained by video-assisted thoracoscopy (VAT) influence the diagnosis of diffuse interstitial lung disease (ILD). To assess the applicability of an Ambulatory Surgery Program (ASP).
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, multicenter study of VAT lung biopsies due to suspected ILD from January 2007 to December 2009, including 224 patients from 13 Spanish centers (mean age 57.1 years; 52.6% females). Data were prospectively collected in every institution and sent to the coordination center for analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The most affected areas in high resolution chest CT were the lower lobes (55%). Bronchoscopy was performed in 84% and transbronchial biopsy in 49.1%. In 179 cases (79.9%), more than one biopsy was performed, with a diagnostic agreement of 97.2%. A definitive histopathologic diagnosis was obtained in 195 patients (87%). Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis was the most frequent diagnosis (26%). There were no statistically significant factors that could predict a greater diagnostic yield (neither anatomical location nor number of biopsies). Seventy patients (31.3%) were included in an ASP. After discharge, there were complications in 12 patients (5.4%), similar between patients admitted postoperatively (9/154: 5.8%) and those included in an ASP (3/70: 4.3%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Anatomical location and number of lung biopsy specimens did not seem to influence the diagnosis. The patients included in an ASP had a complication rate comparable to that of the hospitalized, so this procedure can be included in a surgical outpatient program. Lung biopsy obtained by VAT is a powerful and safe tool for diagnosis of suspected ILD, resulting in a definitive diagnosis for the majority of patients with a low morbidity rate.
authors.affiliation: Cirugía Torácica, Hospital Universitari Sagrat Cor i Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain. juanjofibla@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Juan J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Fibla
authors.forename: Laureano
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Molins
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Blanco
authors.forename: Iñigo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Royo
authors.forename: Primitivo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Martínez Vallina
authors.forename: Néstor
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Martínez
authors.forename: Santiago
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: García Barajas
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gomez
authors.forename: Miriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Estors
authors.forename: Milagros
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moldes
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fernández
authors.forename: Antoni
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Xaubet
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; D001706:Biopsy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D015505:Chest Tubes; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017563:Lung Diseases, Interstitial / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed