[Results of talc administration using thoracoscopy in neoplastic pleurisies. Apropos of 218 cases]

The authors report the results of their experience using tale pleurodesis under thoracoscopic control in the treatment of 218 cases of malignant pleural involvement. Although this technique is well tolerated it is necessary to note certain factors which prevent a successful pleurodesis (12% of cases). Thus, huge effusions greater than 12 litres, pleural involvement with large tumour masses, a very long history and patients aged more than 70 years were all factors contributing to a poor outcome. The success of pleural talc also depends on the nature of the primary cancer, for example in our series broncho-pulmonary cancers yielded better results than those effusions which were secondary to ovarian cancers.