Outcome of medical thoracoscopy in patients admitted to abbasia chest hospital

Introduction Medical thoracoscopy is an invasive procedure that may be performed by physicians for the investigation of exudative pleural effusion using local anesthesia, conscious sedation, and a rigid thoracoscope. Objective The aim was to evaluate the outcome of thoracoscopy in Abbassia Chest Hospital, Cairo. Patients and methods A retrospective study was conducted. The results of histopathological diagnosed was statistically analyzed. Results A total of 123 patients were available for analysis. Their mean age was 58.63 (22-80) years, and 64 (52%) were male. The mean duration of chest drain after procedure was 9.79 (3-41) days, and the duration of hospital stay was 24.54 (10-55) days. Malignant histology was reported in 108 (87.8%) patients, with 75 (61%) cases of mesothelioma. In 108 (87.8%) patients, pleurodesis was performed. The incidence of complications among the patients was 12.2% of all patients. The most common complications were blocked drain and empyema; other complications included subcutaneous emphysema, drain dislodgement, and bronchopleural fistula; and the least common complications were respiratory failure and atrial fibrillation. Conclusion Thoracoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that allows visualization of the pleural space and intrathoracic structures. It enables taking pleural biopsies under direct vision, therapeutic drainage of effusions, and pleurodesis in one sitting.