Transbronchial Biopsy (TBB)

How do biopsy forceps work?

Biopsy forceps are small graspers that are designed to retrieve a small piece of tissue from a suspicious area of the lung.

During a TBB procedure

Transbronchial biopsy is a non-surgical procedure used to collect tissue for diagnosis of lung diseases. This procedure usually requires only conscious sedation.

Typically, the doctor inserts the bronchoscope into your lungs. A bronchoscope is a long, thin tube that has a video camera on the tip which can allow the doctor to view inside your airway. Biopsy forceps are inserted through the bronchoscope. The doctor manipulates the forceps to grasp a small piece of tissue from the suspicious area using the forceps. The doctor then withdraws the forceps and bronchoscope and prepares the tissue sample for a pathologist.^2,3,4

Are there any risks after the procedure?

As with any medical procedure there are risks and you should talk to your doctor about what they are. Your doctor will be able to explain the risks and answer any questions you may have.

Your throat may be sore from the bronchoscope and you may have some discomfort when you swallow for a few days after the procedure. Ask your doctor about how you can treat this discomfort.³ There may be some blood in your throat associated with the procedure.¹

Recovery period

Recovery times may vary, depending on the disease being treated. This procedure typically takes about an hour and may be conducted in an outpatient environment.³

This reference text contains information about a specific procedure and is provided by Boston Scientific Corporation for reference only. Please talk to your doctor about complete procedural information, potential risks, and questions you may have.

References

1. Bronchoscopy with Transbronchial Biopsy. MedLine Plus. National Institutes of Health. Online. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003859.htm. Accessed August 1, 2004.
2. Merck Manual, 2nd Home edition, Section 4, Chapter 39. Online. http://www.merck.com/mrkshared/mmanual_home2/sec04/ch039/ch039c.jsp. Accessed July 28, 2004.
3. Spengler R. Bronchoscopy. Quest Diagnostics Patient Health Library. Quest Diagnostics. 2003. http://www.questdiagnostics.com/kbase/topic/medtest/hw200474/descrip.htm . Accessed August 15, 2004.
4. Weinberger SE, Drazen JM. Diagnostic procedures in respiratory disease. In: Braunwald E, ed. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 15th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2001:1453-1456.