Comparing the results of VATS pleurectomy and talc pleurodesis with small sized catheter in randomised patients with malign pleural effusion

• Main Authors: Bülent Tunçözgür, Fatih Meteroğlu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Modestum Publishing LTD 2012-06-01
• Series: Journal of Clinical and Experimental Investigations
• Subjects: Talc; thoracoscopy; pleurodesis; outcome
• Online Access: http://jceionline.org/upload/sayi/12/JCEI-00327.pdf

Objectives: Pleural effusion occurs as a result of detoriationin equilibrium between absorption and secretion.We aimed to investigate the clinical responses of talkpleurodesis and pleurectomy with video assisted thoracoscopicsurgery (VATS) in patients with malignant pleuraleffusion.Materials and methods: Forty-five patients with malignantpleural effusion between June 2007 and June 2008were included in this study. Thoracentesis was performedin order to study the biochemical, microbiologic, cytologicalanalysis. Glucose, total protein, albumin, lactic dehydrogenasesand cytological examination were studied ineffusion and blood sample simultaneously. Cases wereclassified into two groups; in group I (n=25), small calibratedcatheter and talk pleurodesis were performed. Ingroup II (n=20), VATS pleurectomy was performed.Results: There were 32 females and 13 males with meanage 51.58 (27-75) years. Diagnosis was made with cytologicexamination of pleural fluid that was aspirated withthoracentesis. Transudate- exudate discrimination wasdone according to Light’s criteria. Success rates of thegroups were as complete response; 84% (n=21) in groupI, 85% (n=17) in group II. Unsuccessful response was16% (n=4) in group I and 15% (n=3) in group II. Therewas no statistically significant difference between hospitalstay and tube duration of groups when compared to eachother.Conclusion: The treatment of malignant pleural effusionis palliative due to poor prognosis. The purpose isto eliminate dyspnea in patients with short survival time.There was no significant difference between the VATSpleurectomy and talc pleurodesis that has been known aseffective sclerosant agent. J Clin Exp Invest 2012; 3(2):223-228