Open lung biopsy with a camera -How dangerous is this procedure?

Question

My mom has infiltrates in her lungs. The pulmonary specialist did a bronchoscopy and was not able to determine what these infiltrates are. He is certain it is not cancerous but rather an inflammatory issue. My mom never smoked. Concern is how painful, dangerous is this for a 67 year old woman..Other major illnesses include gastrointestinal problems (barretts disease, H Pylori,Peptic ulcers) The lung dr said that is not related at all. Anyone ever been thru this process? This lung dr has been treating my mom with steroids only for two years. She has been getting worse now. She Has gotten pneumonias twice in two months. The doc says its time to get in there and pull out a larger peice of the tissue to figure it all out...

Answer 1

I had an open chest biopsy. They made three incisions on my right side, one mid-line in my back (about one inch), one about six inches under my armpit towards the back (about one inch), and a larger one about 3 inches below and 3 inches to the right of the nipple area (about a two inch incision). The largest incision was used to insert the chest tube after the biopsy.

Like all surgeries, there is a great deal of risk involved, especially when taking tissue from a lung. I was in the hospital for 5 days and took another 3 weeks after going home to recover from the surgery. When I went home, I was on oxygen 24 hours per day for the first week (about 6 liters initially), and then tapered off until I used it only during physical exertion.

I also had intestinal problems (diverticulitis) and acid reflux. While it is still a theory, research is beginning to show many people with chronic lung disease also have digestive issues (just like cystic fibrosis patients).

My tissue samples were examined initially at the hospital and then sent on to Mayo for a second opinion. It was discovered I had pulmonary fibrosis, a terminal lung disease that causes irreversible scarring in the lungs due to inflammation, interstitial pneumonia, and some COPD. I was 49 when I had the surgery in 2003 and I am a male.

The surgery is difficult (if it is like mine). The chest tube is extremely uncomfortable and painful when removed. Be prepared to have to take care of your mother 24 hours per day for the first week or so after she returns home. The pain will subside in time, and breathing will become easier. Hopefully she doesn't have something serious like pulmonary fibrosis. If she does, go to these web sites for more information and help. I sincerely hope this is something treatable like sarcoidosis. I wish your mother the best of luck.

www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org

www.coalitionforpf.org

Answer 2

There is always SOME risk with a procedure like this, or any other surgical or diagnostic procedure.
The doctor WILL bring this up and explain the risks. My "scope doctor has a speech he gives all his patients any time they are scheduling a procedure.
However, the chances of any problem are very, very slim. if it were dangerous, it is unlikely he would be doing them.

As for pain, chances are she'll be sedated and not know what is happening.

I had a "scope, was wheeled into the procedure room, and the next thing I remember was a nurse saying "we're done." Almost a let down.

Be sure to follow the instructions, and I hope your mother has nothing serious, and gets well.

Here is a web site, www.NIH.gov,
)((NIH is national insittute)) It is a monster of a web site, but it is very extensive. It can answer your questions in detail.

Answer 3

i just had a liver biopsy its painful for a sec as well they said the same thing to me about the lung i think she needs to get a second docs opinion too many steroids can do harm and cause things to worsen but the procedure itself isnt bad think she will do fine and gl to her and best wishes