Pleural peritoneal shunting for benign and malignant pleural effusions

Pleural peritoneal shunting is a new technique that can be used for patients with symptomatic pleural effusion recalcitrant to the usual methods of treatment. Sclerotherapy with a thoracostomy tube is still the mainstay of treatment, but this new procedure has a place if other methods fail. Success can be anticipated in most of the patients with simple insertion under local anesthesia. The occasional obstructed shunt is readily remedied by easy insertion of another pleural peritoneal shunt. No adverse long-term effects have been noted, and satisfactory function can be achieved with minimal morbidity for at least 21 months.