Thoracoscopy in the diagnosis and management of recurrent pleural effusions.

Hucker, J; Bhatnagar, N K; al-Jilaihawi, A N; Forrester-Wood, C P · Ann Thorac Surg · 1991

case_series · Level IV

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Abstract

Between April 1984 and July 1988, 102 patients with persistent or recurrent pleural effusions investigated by conventional methods in whom a diagnosis had not been achieved were submitted to thoracoscopy under general anesthesia. A positive diagnosis was obtained in 80.3% of the patients. The procedure was well tolerated, and although some of these were seriously ill patients, there were no procedure-related deaths.

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