Sometimes it is difficult to diagnose the type of lung disease from tests. You may be referred for a biopsy to get a diagnosis and plan the best treatment.
What is a surgical lung biopsy?
A surgical lung biopsy is an operation which is used to get samples of lung tissue. This is done to diagnose types of lung disease, it does not help symptoms of the lung disease. The operation is done with you asleep under a general anaesthetic. It is a bigger procedure than needle biopsies, you will need to allow time for recovery.
What does the surgery involve?
It is usually a keyhole (VATS) operation and takes about one hour. During surgery you lie on your side with your arm raised. Up to four small cuts are made, each about 5cm (2 in) long. These are used for the instruments and small camera to go into the chest. Special staples are used to cut and seal parts of lung that need to be removed for testing. The pieces of lung can be removed through one of the small cuts. The wound is closed with dissolvable stitches. one or two chest drains are put in at the end of the operation and held in placed with a stitch. These remove any fluid or air from around the lung.
If there is a problem during the operation a bigger cut may be needed (thoracotomy). This cut is one larger incision under the shoulder blade, the incision goes between two ribs. The two ribs are parted to get into the chest. One rib may be cut to give more space, ribs are not removed. At the end of surgery the two ribs are held back together with strong stitches. The muscles and skin are also stitched back together.
Last reviewed: 11 February 2025