Abstract | BACKGROUND: METHODS: Fifty-two patients admitted between May 1985 and November 1992 to the Department of Thoracic Surgery underwent thoracoscopy and had 2 gm sterile asbestos free talc insufflated throughout the pleural space at the time of the procedure. One or two chest tubes were inserted and left in place until fluid drainage was less than 100 ml per day. RESULTS: Of the 52 patients, 5 were not evaluable. Two patients died within 30 days of the procedure. In three additional patients the lung did not expand after thoracoscopy. The intrapleural insufflation of talc was effective in preventing recurrence of pleural effusion. At 30 days there was no recurrence of the pleural fluid in 45 of the 47 (95.7%) patients. One of these patients had a recurrence of the effusion 2 months after the procedure but the remaining 44 (93.6%) had no recurrence for the duration of the study. Aerosolized talc was associated with a moderate morbidity. Six (11.5%) patients had re-expansion edema, but all recovered. Empyema developed in one patient after the procedure. No episodes of respiratory distress syndrome were observed after talc pleurodesis. CONCLUSION:
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Authors | R C Milanez, F S Vargas, L B Filomeno, L R Teixeira, A Fernandez, F Jatene, R W Light |
Journal | Cancer
(Cancer)
Vol. 75
Issue 11
Pg. 2688-92
(Jun 01 1995)
ISSN: 0008-543X [Print] United States |
PMID | 7743471
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Breast Neoplasms
(complications)
- Chest Tubes
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Pleural Effusion
(etiology, therapy)
- Pleurodesis
- Prospective Studies
- Recurrence
- Talc
(administration & dosage)
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