The safety and efficacy of thoracoscopic lung biopsy for diagnosis and treatment in infants and children.

Thoracoscopic techniques were used to perform lung biopsies and limited resections in 36 consecutively treated cases. Biopsies were performed for interstitial lung disease in 27 cases, presumed metastatic lesions in 5, and cavitary lesions in 4. Histological diagnosis was obtained in 35 of the 36 cases, and therapy was directly affected by the results in 30 of 36 cases. There were no postoperative complications, and the average hospital stay for patients admitted the morning of surgery was less than 2 days. Limited thoracoscopic resection provides a safe and effective means for diagnosing and treating parenchymal disease of the lung.