ABSTRACT
Rigid bronchoscopy and mediastinoscopy are investigative procedures, although bronchoscopy can be used for therapeutic purposes. Pleurectomy is used to treat recurrent spontaneous pneumothoraces in young adults. All these are low risk. Pleurodesis is undertaken for pneumothorax secondary to COPD and for malignant pleural effusions. These patients are usually debilitated and the risk is higher (Table 15.1).
