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