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Updated: Jun 4, 2026

Local Anesthetic Thoracoscopy for Undiagnosed Pleural Effusion
Published on: November 10, 2023
Management and prevention of spontaneous pneumothorax using pleurodesis in Hong Kong
1Department of Medicine, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong, SAR China. chanwmj@ha.org.hk
Background:
The practice of pleurodesis for the management and prevention of spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) is uncertain.
Design:
A retrospective multicentre analysis of patients admitted to 12 hospitals in Hong Kong with SP in 2004 and who subsequently underwent pleurodesis for the same episode.
Results:
Pleurodesis was performed in 394 episodes. Initial medical chemical pleurodesis was performed for 258 (65.5%) patients ('initial medical group'), while 136 (34.5%) underwent initial surgical pleurodesis ('initial surgical group'). Secondary spontaneous pneumothorax (SSP; 237 episodes, 60.2%) was the most common indication for pleurodesis; it was also performed after a first episode of primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) in 22 episodes (5.6%). Tetracycline derivatives (172 episodes, 66.7%) were the most popular sclerosing agents in the initial medical group. Those in the initial medical group were older and were more likely to be males, have SSP, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and a history of past pleurodesis (P < 0.05) compared to the initial surgical group. Compared to the tetracycline group, more patients who initially received talc slurry had the procedure performed by surgeons, had larger (≥2 cm) pneumothorax or required suction during initial drainage (P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
Despite the availability of international guidelines, there is considerable variation in pleurodesis for SP.
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Pneumothorax-II
Clinical Manifestations:
Pleural Effusion II: Symptoms and Management
A pleural effusion is the abnormal collection of fluid between the parietal and visceral pleura layers of tissue that form the lining of the lungs and chest cavity. It can occur independently or due to surrounding parenchymal diseases, such as infection, malignancy, or inflammatory conditions.
Clinical Manifestations:
Pneumothorax-I
Pneumothorax can be even further classified as spontaneous, traumatic, and tension pneumothorax.
Pneumothorax II: Pathophysiology
Flail Chest-II
Assessment:
1. Clinical Evaluation:
History:
Pleura of the Lungs
