PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - A C Davidson
AU  - R J George
AU  - C D Sheldon
AU  - G Sinha
AU  - B Corrin
AU  - D M Geddes
TI  - Thoracoscopy: assessment of a physician service and comparison of a flexible bronchoscope used as a thoracoscope with a rigid thoracoscope.
AID  - 10.1136/thx.43.4.327
DP  - 1988 Apr 01
TA  - Thorax
PG  - 327--332
VI  - 43
IP  - 4
4099  - http://thorax.bmj.com/content/43/4/327.short
4100  - http://thorax.bmj.com/content/43/4/327.full
SO  - Thorax1988 Apr 01; 43
AB  - The practicality of physicians performing thoracoscopy for diagnostic purposes was assessed in 30 patients with pleural effusions of unknown cause. A rigid thoracoscope was compared with a fibreoptic bronchoscope used as a flexible thoracoscope and the diagnostic adequacy of biopsy specimens obtained with the two instruments assessed. The two instruments were inserted by a physician in the bronchoscopy suite using local anaesthesia. The procedure proved safe, acceptable, and diagnostically effective. The rigid thoracoscope proved a more satisfactory instrument but the fibreoptic bronchoscope, with minor adaptations, may be used for thoracoscopy.