A new thoracoscopic lung biopsy clamp simplifies excision of pulmonary nodules.

Abstract

Excision of a pulmonary nodule by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery can be difficult when the lesion is deep to the pleural surface. As lung staples are applied, the lung lesion may retract centrally, making continued localization by palpation impossible. We describe a thoracoscopic lung clamp with a novel open end allowing gentle retraction and continuous localization of the nodule during a video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery biopsy.