What is decortication?

Decortication refers specifically to a surgical procedure aimed at removing a restrictive or thickened pleural membrane, which is often the result of conditions such as pleural effusion or empyema. The process involves peeling away the fibrous tissue that has developed on the surface of the lung, thereby allowing for improved expansion of the lung during respiration. This can enhance pulmonary function and relieve symptoms associated with restricted lung movement.

In the context of patient care, when pleural membranes become fibrous and restrictive, they can inhibit normal lung function. By performing decortication, surgeons restore more effective lung mechanics and improve the patient's respiratory status. This is particularly important for patients who may have chronic respiratory conditions or those recovering from pneumonia or similar illnesses.

The other options describe different procedures unrelated to the act of removing a pleural membrane specifically. For instance, the insertion of a catheter into the chest cavity could pertain to drainage processes without the surgical aspect of decortication. The biopsy of lung tissue primarily focuses on sampling lung cells for diagnostic purposes, while opening the chest for heart surgery is a broader surgical intervention that does not target the removal of pleural membranes. Thus, the correct identification of decortication as the removal of a restrictive pleural membrane highlights its