[Thoracentesis and pleurodesis in the treatment of pleural effusion. Personal experience].
OBJECTIVE
The pleural effusion is a sign of pulmonary, pleural or extrapulmonary, benign or malignant pathology. Our aim is to bring our experience on the treatment of the malignant pleural effusion through thoracentesis and successive pleurodesis.


METHODS
From January 2000 to January 2007 we performed 217 thoracentesis of which 123 (57%) in subjects with malignant pleural effusion. In 92 of 123 subjects (75%) we performed a drainage with small size thoracic tube to realize directly the pleurodesis with sterile des-asbestos talc.


RESULTS
None complication was registered during and after thoracentesis and pleurodesis and no mortality was recorded. We usually used talc slurry technique. Relapse rate after first treatment was of 12.2%.


CONCLUSIONS
The pleural effusion is a pathological condition that usually needs repeated operative procedures with serious danger for the patient, however without definitive results. On the basis of our experience and considering the characteristics of sclerosing agents, we conclude that the sure, effective and economic agent for the pleurodesis is the des-asbestos talc.
Pisello
F
F
Università degli Studi di Palermo, Sezione di Chirurgia Generale ad Indirizzo Toracico, Italy.
Geraci
G
G
Sciumè
C
C
Li Volsi
F
F
Platia
L
L
Facella
T
T
Romeo
M
M
Modica
G
G
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019152:Paracentesis / Q000379:methods; D016066:Pleural Effusion, Malignant / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D018700:Pleurodesis / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012597:Sclerosing Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013627:Talc / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D012597:Sclerosing Solutions; D013627:Talc