Autologous blood patch intraparenchymal injection reduces the incidence of pneumothorax and the need for chest tube placement following CT-guided lung biopsy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

To assess the effectiveness of autologous blood patch intraparenchymal injection during CT-guided lung biopsies with a focus on the incidence of pneumothorax and the subsequent requirement for chest tube placement.

A comprehensive search of major databases was conducted to identify studies that utilized autologous blood patches to mitigate the risk of pneumothorax following lung biopsies. Efficacy was next assessed through a meta-analysis using a random-effects model.

Of the 122 carefully analyzed studies, nine, representing a patient population of 4116, were incorporated into the final analysis. Conclusion deduced showed a noteworthy reduction in the overall incidence of pneumothorax (RR = 0.65; 95% CI 0.53–0.80; P = 0.00) and a significantly decline in the occasion for chest tube placement due to pneumothorax (RR = 0.45; 95% CI 0.32–0.64; P = 0.00).

Utilizing autologous blood patch intraparenchymal injection during the coaxial needle retraction process post-lung biopsy is highly effective in diminishing both the incidence of pneumothorax and consequent chest tube placement requirement.