Abstract
Purpose. Surgical lung biopsy (SLB) is an important diagnostic tool for interstitial lung disease (ILD), yet the risk factors for SLB are still debatable and long-term outcomes remain unknown.
Methods. We retrospectively reviewed the records of 85 consecutive patients with ILD who underwent SLB by video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) from 2008 to 2019. Risk factors for complications and differences of outcomes between idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and other ILDs were examined.
Results. All patients who underwent VATS had no mortality or acute exacerbation of ILD within 90 days of SLB. The rate of complication was 9.4%, and there were no statistically significant risk factors for complications. While the IPF group was not significantly different from the non-IPF group with regard to surgical parameters or complications, patients with IPF had significantly higher rates of mortality (50% vs. 9% in 5 years; p <0.001) and readmission due to acute exacerbation (75% vs. 8% in 5 years; p <0.001).
Conclusion. VATS lung biopsy for ILD can be a safe approach regardless of underlying phenotypes. An accurate diagnosis of IPF via SLB may be beneficial for correct patient management.
