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(Chest. 1996;109:1234-1238.)
© 1996 American College of Chest Physicians

Thoracoscopic Management of Malignant Pleural Effusions

Anthony P.C. Yim MD, FCCP1; Shiu Shek Chung MB, BS1; Tak Wai Lee MB, BS1; Chuen Kwong Lam MB, BS1; and Jonathan K.S. Ho MD1

1 From the Cardiothoracic Unit, Department of Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong

Malignant pleural effusion is a common condition and often presents a challenge for treatment. We report our experience from a single institution with the use of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in the management of malignant effusions. From September 1992 to April 1995, 69 patients (31 men, 38 women; age range, 38 to 76 years) underwent diagnosis and/or treatment of malignant effusions; these included 46 pleural biopsies, 34 talc insufflations, and 16 limited decortications. There was no mortality and there were no intraoperative complications. Postoperative complications occurred in seven patients (10%). Specific histologic diagnoses were obtained in all but 6 patients (87%). Malignant effusion was confirmed in 25 of 46 cases (54%). Thoracoscopic talc insufflation with or without additional decortication was successful in 32 of 34 cases (94%) in controlling recurrence of effusion after a mean follow-up of 6 months among the survivors (22 patients died during the follow-up period without effusion reaccumulation). We conclude that VATS not only provides an accurate diagnosis but also allows effective therapeutic procedures to be performed for malignant effusions that are associated with an acceptable morbidity.

Key Words: malignant pleural effusion • thoracoscopic talc insufflation • video-assisted thoracoscopy surgery

Submitted on July 31, 1995
Accepted on November 17, 2007




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