[Surgical procedures in 156 cases of pleural effusion. Immediate results].
BACKGROUND
Pleural effusion is a common clinical entity. Proper diagnosis and management are important for successful treatment. We undertook this study to evaluate immediate results of the procedures used in a group of cases with pleural effusion.


METHODS
Of 2589 patients at first consultation, 787 were hospitalized and 156 had pleural effusion. Diagnostic and therapeutic procedures used were evaluated.


RESULTS
With thoracentesis and evacuation of liquid, 23 nonneoplastic cases had resolution. Chest tube drainage with water seal was performed in 133 patients. This procedure suppressed the effusion in 109 patients, but in 24 patients another approach was necessary. In this group there were 35 neoplastic and 96 nonmalignant cases, the latter 36 were provoked by iatrogenic management. Twenty two cases of pneumothorax considered as gaseous effusion and 10 cases of chronic empyema sequelae of pleural effusions were also studied. Proportion comparison demonstrated significant differences between neoplastic and nonneoplastic effusions (p =0.001) and in cases managed with minimally invasive procedures and chest tube drainage (p =0.001). The performance of pleurodesis and thoracoscopy is discussed. In chronic cases, indications of open window thoracostomy and myoplasty are elucidated.


CONCLUSIONS
In pleural effusion, opportune diagnosis and proper management are essential. Drainage tube can solve the majority of cases. Pneumothorax must be treated in the same way. In chronic empyema, open window thoracostomy and myoplasty are indicated. Careless patient management and poor treatment lead to iatrogenic complications.
Cicero-Sabido
Raúl
R
Servicio de Neumología y Cirugía de Tórax Alejandro Celis, Hospital General de México. rc1neumo@servidor.unam.mx
Páramo-Arroyo
Rafael F
RF
Navarro-Reynoso
Francisco Pascual
FP
Pimentel-Ugarte
Lorenzo
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015505:Chest Tubes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002648:Child; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016724:Empyema, Pleural / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006491:Hemothorax / Q000209:etiology; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D010997:Pleural Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D018700:Pleurodesis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000150:complications; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000209:etiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000150:complications; D013907:Thoracostomy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*