Evaluation of rapid pleurodesis technique in patients with malignant pleural effusion

Abstract

In most patients with malignant pleural effusion, palliative treatment requires pleurodesis with sclerosing agents. The most cost-effective method for controlling of malignant pleural effusion is drainage through thoracostomy tube and intrapleural instillation of a chemical agent "pleurodesis".(Yang et al 1992 ) The relatively long duration of chest tube drainage both prior to and after the administration of the pleurodesis agent explains the completeness of the standard procedure in 5 to 7 days . Because the life expectancy of patients with MPE is short, efforts should be made to minimize the duration of their hospitalization. (Villanueva et al., 1994) The current study evaluates the effectiveness of rapid pleurodesis technique in malignant pleural effusion using pigtail drainage in comparison to standard technique of pleurodesis using thoracostomy tube drainage as regard days of drainage, days of hospitalization , total drainage, cost effectiveness, response to ple