Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 11, 2026

Local Anesthetic Thoracoscopy for Undiagnosed Pleural Effusion
Published on: November 10, 2023
Indwelling Pleural Catheters: A Clinical Option in Trapped Lung
Luca Bertolaccini1, Andrea Viti1, Simona Paiano2
1Thoracic Surgery Unit, Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Research Hospital - Cancer Care Center, Via Don Angelo Sempreboni 5, Negrar, Verona 37024, Italy.
Abstract:
Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) symptoms have a real impact on quality of life. Surgical approach through video-assisted thoracic surgery provides a first step in palliation. In patients unfit for general anesthesia, awake pleuroscopy represents an alternative. Sclerosing agents can be administered at the bedside through a chest tube. Ideal treatment of MPE should include adequate long-term symptom relief, minimize hospitalization, and reduce adverse effects. Indwelling pleural catheter (IPC) allows outpatient management of MPE through periodic ambulatory fluid drainage. IPC offers advantages over pleurodesis in patients with poor functional status who cannot tolerate pleurodesis or in patients with trapped lungs.
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