[The description of a method for performing repeated evacuatory thoracentesis in patients with untreatable malignant...

Repeated drainage by thoracocentesis may be carried out in patients with untreatable malignant pleural effusion by subcutaneous insertion of an access system initially designed for the peritoneum. The catheter is inserted into the pleural cavity through thoracic tissue, facilitating repeated drainage with minimum risk for the patient with recurring malignant pleural effusion who is no longer eligible for other therapeutic procedures. We describe our initial experience in three patients with untreatable advanced neoplasms who received symptomatic treatment for dyspnea with this method on an out-patient basis for a period of between one to four months. No complications were observed except for partial obstruction of a catheter which was unblocked with urokinase.