Treatment of recurrent malignant pleural effusion by iodized talc pleurodesis

Chemical pleurodesis using iodized talc is an effective method of treating symptomatic recurrent malignant pleural effusions. Twenty-three effusions occurring in 21 patients treated by this method are described with two illustrative case reports. The procedure eliminated the need for further chest aspiration in all but one instance. The histological appearances of the pleura at intervals after pleurodesis are also described.     

Talc pleurodesis in recurrent pleural effusions

Background and aims: The treatment of recurrent malignant pleural effusions is known to be difficult and varies from observation in asymptomatic patients to pleurectomy with varying results. This prospective study presents the efficacy and the limits of iodized talc pleurodesis in patients with malignant and non-malignant recurrent pleural effusions. Methods: In a prospective trial talc pleurodesis was performed in 50 patients with recurrent pleural effusions (malignant effusions: n = 36, non-malignant effusions: n = 14). After insertion of a chest tube and complete re-expansion of the lung, 5 mg of talc and 3 mg of thymol iodine were installed with 0.5 ml of 1% xylocaine/kg body weight and 30 ml 0.9% saline solution. The chest tube was removed after an average time of 4 days and chest radiographs were performed 1 month after instillation to evaluate the efficacy of pleurodesis. Results: Successful therapy was achieved in 31 of 33 patients (94%) with malignant effusions within a follow-up period of 7 months. Three patients died within 1 month after therapy due to progressive malignant disease. The treatment was successful in all cases of non-malignant effusions and complications did not occur in either group. Conclusions: These results indicate that pleurodesis with iodized talcum slurry is a simple and inexpensive method with high efficacy in controlling malignant and non-malignant pleural effusions. Received: 23 October 1997     

Iodized talc pleurodesis for the treatment of pleural effusions.

This prospective study was designed to determine the efficacy of iodized talc pleurodesis in patients with pleural effusions. Thirty-four patients underwent this treatment (three bilaterally) between October 1, 1989, and March 31, 1991. All patients had to have complete or nearly complete lung reexpansion after tube thoracostomy with fluid drainage less than 100 ml in 24 hours. A slurry containing 5 gm of talc and 3 gm of thymol iodide was instilled into the pleural space through the chest tube. Chest tubes were removed after complete reexpansion and clearing of the effusions, usually in 3 to 5 days. The patients' ages ranged from 26 to 88 years (average 50 years). Eighteen patients had lung carcinoma, two had mesothelioma, and one each had carcinoma of the ovary, breast, or anorectum, multiple myeloma, schwannoma, or Hodgkin's lymphoma. Two patients had an unknown adenocarcinoma primary and five other patients had acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. One patient had congestive heart failure. Nineteen patients had left, 12 had right, and three had bilateral pleural effusions. The effusion was serosanguineous in 26 and serofibrinous in eight patients. Serial chest radiography showed complete response in all patients. The period of follow-up ranged from 1 to 21 (average 4.9) months, with no recurrences. Twenty-three patients have died during the follow-up period, and there was no sign that reaccumulated pleural effusion existed in any, despite clinical evidence of systemic tumor progression. These observations indicate that intrapleural instillation of a slurry of iodized talc is a safe, adequate, and effective treatment for control of neoplastic or benign pleural effusions.     

Thoracoscopic pleurodesis in malignant pleural effusions

We performed retrospectively study on 136 thoracoscopies done in our clinic in the period January 2000 and December 2004. We reviewed 136 thoracoscopies, 71 patients were male and 65 were female (mean age 58.4 years). Straw colored effusions were present in 78 cases (57%) and hemorrhagic in 58 cases (43%). The surgical procedure consist in diagnostic of thoracoscopy with drainage of pleural effusion, multiply pleural biopsy, pleurodesis and continuous pleural drainage. In our study, the talc powder (5g) was successfully as sclerosing agent. The primary tumor was: lung-63 (46%), breast-26 (19%), mesothelioma-21 (15.5%), stomach-3, ovarian-3, prostate-3, colon-2, lymphoma-1, leukemia-2, plasmocytoma-1 and unknown primary tumor in 11 cases (8%). Adverse effects included-chest pain-35 cases (25%), fever-20 cases (15%), empyema-6 cases (4.5%), prolonged air leak-5 cases (4%), pulmonary infection-2 cases, acute respiratory failure-1 case, malignant invasion of scar-1 patient. For statistical analysis, the success of talc pleurodesis was defined as the absence of pleural fluid on the follow-up chest radiographs. Pleurodesis was successful in 125 cases (92%) of the patients after 1 month-follow-up. Thoracoscopic talc pleurodesis is a safe, economical and effective treatment for malignant pleural effusion.     

Life expectancy of patients with malignant pleural effusion treated with video-assisted thoracoscopic talc pleurodesis

The aim of the current study was to analyse postoperative complications and survival after video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) talc pleurodesis for malignant pleural effusion. All patients with morphologically proven malignant pleural effusion who underwent VATS talc pleurodesis from November 1995 to November 2002 were included in retrospective analysis. VATS was performed in general anaesthesia and 5 g of asbestos-free talc was insufflated into the pleural cavity. Postoperative pleural drainage was used until fluid output was less than 100 ml/24 h. Ninety-eight patients (28 male and 70 female) with mean age 59.6 (range 18-82) years were included. Thirteen patients had a bilateral pleural effusion. The most common primary cancer sites were lung (30 cases), breast (25) and ovarium (11). Average duration of the operation was 46 (range 10-120) min. Median duration of postoperative drainage was 3 (range 1-20) days and postoperative hospitalisation 7 (range 3-70) days. Twenty-eight patients had postoperative complications (fever in 17 cases). In seven cases pleurodesis was ineffective. Median survival was 8.4 months. Six-, 12- and 24-month survival was 58% (95% CI [0.47-0.67]), 39% [0.29-0.49] and 20% [0.12-0.29], respectively. Survival data after VATS talc pleurodesis advocate use of this invasive treatment method despite the advanced stage of cancer.     

Use of an indwelling pleural catheter compared with thorascopic talc pleurodesis in the management of malignant pleural effusions

Therapy for recurrent malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is palliative. Video-assisted thoracic surgery with talc pleurodesis (VATS/TP) is limited to inpatients with completely expandable lung parenchyma. We evaluated the outcomes, safety, and efficacy of an indwelling pleural drainage catheter (PDC) system compared with VATS/TP. Forty-one consecutive patients with symptomatic MPE seen between September 2000 and April 2002 were studied. Patients able to fully re-expand their lungs were treated with VATS/TP; those who could not had PDC placement. Twenty-four (59%) were women. The mean age was 64 +/- 13 years. VATS/TP was performed in only seven patients (17%), and 34 patients had PDC placement. The length of stay (LOS) was 2.8 +/- 5.1 days in the 18 PDC patients who were initially seen as outpatients and 9.4 +/- 9.0 days in the inpatient population (P = 0.013). Short (< 2 days) LOS occurred in 19 (56%) PDC patients but in no VATS/TP patients (P = 0.007). Twenty-eight patients (68%) died during follow-up: three VATS/TP patients (43%) and 25 (74%) PDC patients (P = 0.112). We conclude that the PDC system is an efficacious treatment of patients with MPEs and trapped lungs. The LOS is short in patients initially evaluated as outpatients which contributes to the perception of increased quality of life.     

Video-assisted thoracoscopic pleurodesis for malignant pleural effusions

AIM: The objective was to analyse the efficiency, and safety of thoracoscopic pleurodesis (TP). A retrospective study was made of an initial series of 75 patients undergoing lifetime follow-up who received TP in our department for the treatment of malignant pleural effusions (MPE). MATERIAL AND METHODS: From May 1994 to December 1998, 34 men and 41 women with a median age of 63.4 +/- 12.5 years were treated by TP. We performed 36 partial diathermic abrasions on pleura combined with talc insufflation, and in 39 cases only talc poudrage. The mean duration of insention of the chest tube was 4.1 (range 2 to 17) days, with 8.4 (range 5 to 20) days of postoperative hospitalization. There were no severe intraoperative or postoperative complications. The 30-day mortality rate was 1.3% (1 case). The period of follow-up ranged from 2.5 to 40 months (average 6.8). No case of late recurrence has been observed to date. CONCLUSION: Videothoracoscopic pleurodesis (talc poudrage) as a simple and efficient procedure seems to be the best alternative treatment regimen for the management of MPE in a group of selected patients.     

Treatment of malignant pleural effusion by pleurodesis with talc

In some types of cancer (breast, lung) a malignant pleural effusion may be present during the evolution of the neoplastic disease in more than 50% of cases. The main therapeutic option for palliative purposes in these cases is chemical pleurodesis with talc. The aims of this study were to report on our experience with the use of pleurodesis with talc in the treatment of patients affected by malignant pleural effusions and to analyse the results in the short and mean term. Over the period from January 1998 to December 1999, 16 patients were included in the study. The causes of the pleural effusion were a pleural mesothelioma in 1 patient and pleural metastases in 15 patients (from lung and breast cancers in 62%). We treated 14 of these patients with talc poudrage and 2 patients with talc slurry. The talc was applied under video-assisted thorascopic management in 15 patients, while in 1 patient the talc was injected via the thoracic drainage tube. Two patients died within the first month as a result of progression of the neoplastic disease and one patient was withdrawn from the study owing to failure to collaborate. Of the other 13 patients, 11 (84%) had a total or partial response to the pleurodesis; in 9 of these patients (69.2%) the response remained stable until death, while in 2 patients the pleural effusion reappeared after 3 and 5 months, respectively. Failure of the pleurodesis occurred in 2/13 patients owing to reappearance of the pleural effusion within the first month.     

Thoracoscopic collagen pleurodesis in the treatment of malignant pleural effusions.

OBJECTIVE: Pleurodesis is of a potential benefit in pleural carcinomatosis and symptomatic malignant effusions, but the best way of achieving this is still uncertain. The aim of this prospective study was to analyse the results of pleurodesis after intra-pleural thoracoscopic administration of collagen powder. METHODS: 45 patients (19 men and 26 women; median age of 64 years, range from 36 to 73 years) with malignant pleural effusions underwent thoracoscopic collagen pleurodesis. The procedure involved thoracoscopic drainage of pleural effusion and intra-pleural insufflation of 1 g of bovine dermal collagen powder under general anaesthesia. Assessment of the immediate side effects and pH estimation of drained pleural fluid took place whilst inpatient. The patients were subsequently followed up for 1 year at 3-monthly intervals including outpatient clinical review and chest radiography. Prognostic value of pleural fluid pH in relation to the outcome of pleurodesis and patients' survival was statistically analysed. RESULTS: The procedure was well tolerated and there were no serious complications or deaths. Thoracoscopic collagen pleurodesis resulted in immediate resolution of malignant pleural effusion and all patients remained free of re-accumulated fluid for at least 1 month. Only 5 (11%) patients later developed recurrent effusion and required its repeat drainage at some point during the follow-up period. In the vast majority (89%) patients, thoracoscopic collagen pleurodesis proved successful in complete and permanent resolution of pleural fluid collection. Acid medium (pH < 7.3) of plural fluid was associated with poor survival (P < 0.05), but did not influence the clinical and radiological outcome of collagen pleurodesis (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Thoracoscopic collagen pleurodesis is a simple and effective method of treatment of malignant pleural effusions.     

Simple technique of talc delivery for video-assisted talc pleurodesis

It has been proven that talc is the sclerosant of choice for pleurodesis, especially for malignant effusions. Uniform talc deposition on the visceral pleura is often difficult, resulting in clump deposition with the use of an atomizer or bladder syringe delivery apparatus. We have devised a simple sterile apparatus that allows the operator to retain full control over the talc delivery rate and coat the lung uniformly under direct vision using a pressurized system.     

Pleuroperitoneal shunt for recurrent malignant pleural effusions.

The therapeutic options available for the management of malignant pleural effusions associated with a restricting malignant cortex remain unsatisfactory. The efficacy of pleuroperitoneal shunts was evaluated in 16 patients with recurrent malignant effusions. There were no operative deaths; one patient died on the third postoperative day as a result of lymphangitis carcinomatosa. The median hospital stay was five (range 3-21) days. Palliation was obtained in all but one of the other 15 patients. There was no appreciable reaccumulation of pleural fluid as judged by radiography. Two patients developed occlusion of the shunt. In one case this was due to blood clots in the pleural catheter and necessitated insertion of a new shunt. The other shunt was removed because of obstructing infected fibrin debris, and a rib resection was performed. There were eight deaths related to the underlying malignancy after a mean interval of 7.3 (range 1.5-23) months. The other six patients are still alive, with a mean survival of 11.0 (range 5-20) months, and have achieved good symptomatic relief. The insertion of a pleuroperitoneal shunt can offer effective palliation for patients with recurrent malignant pleural effusions.     

Uniform talc delivery during video-assisted thoracoscopic pleurodesis

Video-assisted thoracoscopic talc pleurodesis is a highly effective technique to manage recurrent pneumothorax or pleural effusion. However, inhomogenous talc delivery might be a cause of failure. We report a simple and inexpensive technique for uniform talc dispersion with complete covering of the pleural space during video-assisted thoracoscopic pleurodesis.     

Thoracoscopic talc pleurodesis for recurrent, symptomatic pleural effusion following cardiac operations

Seventeen patients who underwent a cardiac operation developed a recurrent, symptomatic pleural effusion ultimately requiring video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) and talc pleurodesis. These patients represented 0.4% of all patients undergoing a cardiac operation over the same time period. Compared with an age- and sex-matched control group of cardiac surgery patients, patients requiring VATS for recurrent pleural effusion were more obese with higher body mass index (31.9 +/- 1.2 versus 28.3 +/- 1.4 kg/M2, P = 0.03), were more likely to have undergone a complex cardiac operation (8/17 versus 1/17, P =.01) and were more frequently on anticoagulation and antiplatelet agents besides aspirin (8/17 versus 2/17, P =.02). Patients underwent 1.86 +/- 0.34 thoracenteses with drainage of 846 +/- 166 mL/thoracentesis prior to referral for VATS. On average, patients underwent VATS 4.83 +/- 1.49 months after their cardiac operation. There were 3 VATS-related complications (17.6%) and no deaths. VATS talc pleurodesis led to symptomatic and radiologic improvement in all patients with a mean follow-up of 8.2 +/- 1.5 months. VATS talc pleurodesis effectively and safely treats the unusual postcardiac surgery patient with refractory pleural effusion.     

Palliative treatment of malignant pleural effusions by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery

Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) are associated with significant morbidity. Prompt clinical evaluation followed by aggressive treatment often results in successful palliation. Video-assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS) today can be employed in the diagnosis and treatment of idiopatic and known MPE. Between January 1994 and December 1998 233 MPE patients were treated with pleurodesis. 206 of them underwent tube thoracostomy and drainage alone followed by chemical pleurodesis. In 27 out of the 233 cases VATS management was applied. These patients had undiagnosed pleural effusions or recurrent MPE following failed previous drainage and pleurodesis. The cause of the effusion was breast cancer in 11 patients, lung cancer in 9, urogenital cancer in 3, mesothelioma in 2 and other in 2. VATS intervention was thoracoscopic exploration with biopsy and directed chemical sclerosis in undiagnosed MPE (19/27) and lysis of pleural adhesions with partial decortication and pleurodesis in recurrent effusions (8/27). VATS managements were successful 26/27 after mean follow up of 6 months. Had not mortality postoperatively and severe morbidity. Chest tubes were removed 1.5 +/- 0.5 days postoperatively and hospital stay were averaged 4 +/- 1 days. We concluded that VATS is a safety and effective way of managing selected patients with pleural effusions.     

Single access videothoracoscopic biopsy and talc pleurodesis in patients with malignant pleural effusion

Aim-Background

Recurrent pleural effusion is frequently observed in clinical experience and malignancy is one of the most frequent causes. Although it is generally necessary to prevent the recurrence of effusion in patients with disseminated neoplastic disease, in others, a diagnosis is required. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of biopsy and pleurodesis by a single access videothoracoscopic approach.

Methods

We report a consecutive series of 20 patients (12 men, 8 women, aged 39 to 83 years) who underwent single access videothoracoscopy with pleural biopsy and talc pleurodesis for recurrent pleural effusion. In all cases, indication for the procedure was a recurrent pleural effusion, suspicious for malignancy. Videothoracoscopy was performed under general anaesthesia. For pleurodesis, an average of 8g of sterile talc powder was used. A six-month follow-up was completed for all patients, and efficacy was judged by clinical examination and chest X-ray.

Results

Diagnosis was obtained in all cases. In five cases, the diagnosis was a pleural involvement by breast cancer metastasis, and in four cases, a primary lung cancer was detected. Eight were mesotheliomas and one a parapneumonic collection. In two cases, an unknown-malignancy recurrent pleural effusion was observed. No deaths, talc-induced ARDS or malignant invasion of the scar occurred, but only a postoperative empyema and two subcutaneous emphysemas treated successfully without further operation.

Conclusions

Single access videothoracoscopic pleural biopsy and talc pleurodesis is a safe and effective method for the diagnosis and treatment of malignant pleural effusions.     

Intrapleural immunotherapy with Corynebacterium parvum in recurrent malignant pleural effusions.

Twenty-one patients with proven recurrent malignant pleural effusions were randomly allocated to treatment groups receiving either intrapleural Corynebacterium parvum in a dose of 7 mg or intrapleural mustine (20 mg). The designated intrapleural therapy was repeated on one occasion if further pleural aspiration was required. Corynebacterium parvum (nine patients) proved superior to mustine (12 patients) in suppressing the reaccumulation of pleural fluid, and was associated with only minimal side-effects of fever and nausea in two patients. Mustine caused marked nausea and vomiting in almost all patients. Three of the four patients who were deemed "failures" after mustine therapy had complete suppression of pleural fluid reaccumulation after a single dose of C parvum, the survival of the fourth being too short to assess a response adequately. There were no failures in the C parvum treated group. Corynebacterium parvum appears to be an effective, well-tolerated agent in the management of recurrent pleural effusions. The relative contribution of its potent immunological stimulant effect to its mode of action remains uncertain.     

Thoracoscopic video-assisted talcum pleurodesis (TTP)--effective treatment of malignant pleural effusion

INTRODUCTION: Aim of the palliative therapeutic procedure should be a fast, efficient and pain free treatment of the malignant pleural effusions. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Since 1995 the results of malignant pleural effusions treatment were analyzed retrospectively in 46 patients who underwent 51 video-assisted TTP. The most frequent origin of malignant pleural effusion was breast cancer, followed by bronchial carcinoma. Precondition for video-assisted TTP was the verification of a malignant pleural effusion by cytology. RESULTS: Following TTP one patient suffered from pneumonia, two recurrent diseases occurred. Four patients died due to their severe primary malignancy. Average hospitalization was 8 days (3-55). CONCLUSION: Video-assisted TTP is the standard procedure in palliative treatment of malignant pleural effusion; the recurrence rate is low and the technique minimal invasive.