RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Pathologic confirmation is needed to diagnose various forms of interstitial lung diseases. We wanted to find out how much the thoracic surgical lung biopsies will be needed for definite diagnosis of interstitial lung diseases. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 17 patients underwent surgical lung biopsy in the department of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery, Gyeongsang National University Hospital from June 1995 to November 2002. Chart review and telephone questionnaire were done for retrospective study. RESULT: Mean age was 49+/-22 years. Age ranged from 1 to 70 years. Dyspnea was the most common complaint. They were referred for definite differClinical Evaluation of Instrumental ential diagnosis from pediatrics and internal medicine. Biopsy methods were thoracotomy in 11 cases, and thoracoscopy in 6 cases. Pathologic confirmation was possible in 11 cases (65%). According to the pathologic reports, treatment plans were changed in 13 cases (76%). CONCLUSION: Surgical lung biopsy was effective method in differentiating diagnosis of the interstitial lung disease. There was no mortality during operation. It is important that undiagnosed fibrous lung disease should be recommanded the lung biopsy for planning patient's treatment.