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The Effect of Using Different Types of Forceps in the Efficacy of Transbronchial Lung Biopsy

  • INTERVENTIONAL BRONCHOSCOPY
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Abstract

Background

Transbronchial lung biopsy (TBBX) is a common respiratory diagnostic procedure performed to investigate several lung diseases. There are different types of forceps used to perform this procedure. The alligator and cupped (oval) forceps are most commonly used ones. To date, there are few studies that have compared the efficacy of these two types of forceps. This study compares the two types of forceps relating to the rate of complications and diagnostic value.

Methods

In this retrospective observational study, 40 patients who underwent TBBX using the alligator forceps were compared to a previous group of 40 patients who underwent the same procedure using the cupped forceps. The two groups were compared with respect to the rate of complications (bleeding and pneumothorax), diagnostic value and size of biopsies.

Results

The rate of complications was higher in patients who underwent TBBX using alligator forceps, in which seven patients (17.5%) had significant bleeding in the group that used alligator forceps versus three patients (7.5%) in cupped forceps group. Pneumothorax developed in three patients, all of whom were in the alligator forceps group. While there was no significant difference in the adequacy and size of the samples, the diagnostic yield was higher in the cupped forceps group.

Conclusions

The results of the study showed that using cupped forceps in performing TBBX had fewer complications (pneumothorax and bleeding) and a higher diagnostic yield in comparison with alligator forceps, but the difference did not reach a statistical significant value.

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Correspondence to Abdulrahman Almadani.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. The authors whose names are listed have no affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial or non-financial interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.

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Almadani, A., Ping, M.N.Y., Deenadayalu, A. et al. The Effect of Using Different Types of Forceps in the Efficacy of Transbronchial Lung Biopsy. Lung 197, 61–66 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00408-018-0179-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00408-018-0179-6

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