Peroperative fine needle aspiration biopsy of lung tumors.

The feasibility and reliability of peroperative fine needle aspiration biopsy of lung tumors were studied in a series of 54 patients. The postoperative histologic examination confirmed that 47 of the lesions were malignant. The cytologic examination also showed malignancy in 45 of these cases.

Penetrating and perforating thoracic injuries.

Five hundred and eleven patients with penetrating or perforating chest injuries were admitted to the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University Central Hospital, Helsinki, during the 25-year-period 1952-77. There were 433 stab wounds, 59 gunshot wounds and 19 other penetrating injuries. The organs most often involved were lungs (major haemo- or pneumothorax in 385 patients), heart (63 patients) and liver (61 patients).

Acquired eventration of the diaphragm--results of surgery.

Results of surgical repair of acquired diaphragmatic eventration are reported. The series consists of nine adult patients studied pre- and postoperatively with clinical, radiological and lung function investigations. The repair was performed in all cases by a thoracic approach and plication of the diaphragm.