A small piece of lung is removed. This piece is larger than the amount of tissue obtained with a needle biopsy and preserves the natural architecture of the tissues when the tissues are examined under a microscope. This is important in the diagnosis of some of the rarer lung diseases. This tube removes any excess fluid, blood, or trapped air from the chest cavity after the procedure. The tube thereby allows the lung to re-expand fully afterwards.
Length of stay depends on the reason for the biopsy.
Some patients with the rare infections or diseases may be in the hospital for a lengthy period, but the biopsy itself requires only three to four days in the hospital. Recovery is generally felt to take four to six weeks for full recovery. Each lung is divided into three large segments, called lobes. If one of these segments is damaged by cancer, infection or trauma, it can often be removed, leaving the other segments intact. This minimization of the tissue removed leaves more lung tissue intact and thereby lessens the impact on the patient.