Abstract
Background: Diagnostic thoracentesis is the initial diagnostic investigation in the workup of an undiagnosed Pleural effusion. Medical thoracoscopy(MT)has a high diagnostic yield in these patients. This survey endeavours to study the practice of this technique by respiratory physicians in India.
Methods: An electronic survey called ‘Indian Thoracoscopy survey’was prepared and conducted under the aegis of Indian Chest Society. In all there were 63 Questions prepared and disseminated. The subjects were recruited from the e-mail lists of the respiratory physicians. The participation in the survey was voluntary and no incentive of any sort was offered to the participants. The survey link was kept open for a 3-month period.
Results: There were total 659 respondents,whose mean age was 41.5 years and majority of them were males (n=564, 85.6). The largest group of respondents practiced in corporate/private hospitals (n=315, 47.8). Only 311 (47.2) respondents performed MT. Of these, 190 (61.1) used flex-rigid /semi rigid thoracoscopes. Undiagnosed pleural effusions (N=194;62.4) and recurrent pleural effusions (N=117; 37.6) were the most common indications for performing MT. Majority of the thoracoscopists(222, 71.4) used conscious sedation and a combination of Midazolam and Fentanyl was the most preferred combination (n=238; 76.5). Most follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for thoracoscope cleaning and disinfection and had safety check lists in place.
Conclusion: Our survey captures the practice of MT in India. Respondents felt that MT was a valuable investigation that was underused and more of them wanted to learn. The setup cost is significant. The lack of opportunities for training is something that needs to be looked in to.
Footnotes
Cite this article as Eur Respir J 2022; 60: Suppl. 66, 2916.
This article was presented at the 2022 ERS International Congress, in session “-”.
This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).
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