Video-assisted thoracoscopic pleurodesis for malignant pleural effusions

The objective was to analyse the efficiency, and safety of thoracoscopic pleurodesis (TP). A retrospective study was made of an initial series of 75 patients undergoing lifetime follow-up who received TP in our department for the treatment of malignant pleural effusions (MPE).

From May 1994 to December 1998, 34 men and 41 women with a median age of 63.4 +/- 12.5 years were treated by TP. We performed 36 partial diathermic abrasions on pleura combined with talc insufflation, and in 39 cases only talc poudrage. The mean duration of insention of the chest tube was 4.1 (range 2 to 17) days, with 8.4 (range 5 to 20) days of postoperative hospitalization. There were no severe intraoperative or postoperative complications. The 30-day mortality rate was 1.3% (1 case). The period of follow-up ranged from 2.5 to 40 months (average 6.8). No case of late recurrence has been observed to date.

Videothoracoscopic pleurodesis (talc poudrage) as a simple and efficient procedure seems to be the best alternative treatment regimen for the management of MPE in a group of selected patients.