[Talc pleurodesis in recurrent malignant pleural effusion--a prospective follow-up study]

Talc pleurodesis was performed in a prospective trial in 38 patients with recurrent malignant pleural effusion. After insertion of a chest tube a slurry containing 8g of iodined talcum, 0.5 ml of 1% xylocain/kg/body weight, and 80 ml of 0.9% NaCl was administered and suction drainage was performed. The chest tube could be removed after 4 +/- 1.7 days. A successful therapy could be achieved in 33/38 patients (86.8%). 2 patients (5.3%) suffered from recurrent pleural effusion which only in 1 case had to be drained. 3 patients died within the first month after talc pleurodesis due to an advanced cancer stage. Complications did not come to evidence in any case.