A Trial of Rigid Versus Semirigid Thoracoscopy in the Evaluation of Exudative Pleural Effusions

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Rigid Versus Semirigid Thoracoscopy in the Evaluation of Exudative Pleural Effusions

Rigid thoracoscopy is an established procedure for the performance of pleural biopsies for undiagnosed pleural effusions. The semirigid thoracoscope is a relatively new instrument designed for the same purpose which is claimed to be more user-friendly. The two devices have not been compared in a head-to-head trial in published literature. The investigators attempt to conduct a randomised comparative trial between the two devices.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with an exudative (as defined by Light's criteria) pleural effusion of unknown etiology after a microbiological (namely gram stain and acid fast bacillus stain) and cytological examination

Exclusion Criteria:

• Significant hypoxemia on room air
• Hemodynamic instability
• Significant cardiac disease (known myocardial infarction in last 6 weeks or presence of unstable angina)
• Refractory cough
• Lack of pleural space due to adhesions
• Uncorrected coagulopathy