Indwelling pleural catheters for non-malignant effusions: a multicentre review of practice

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Authors
Bhatnagar, R.
Reid, E. D.
Corcoran, J. P.
Bagenal, J. D.
Pope, Sandra
Clive, A. O.
Zahan-Evans, N.
Froeschle, Peter O.
West, D.
Rahman, N. M.
Journal
Thorax
Type
Journal Article
Multicenter Study
Publisher
BMJ
Rights
Indwelling pleural catheters (IPCs) are commonly used in the management of malignant pleural effusion (MPE). There is little data on their use in non-malignant conditions. All IPC insertions for non-malignant cases from five large UK centres were found using prospectively maintained databases. Data were collected on 57 IPC insertions. The commonest indications were hepatic hydrothorax (33%) and inflammatory pleuritis (26%). The mean weekly fluid output was 2.8 L (SD 2.52). 48/57 (84%) patients had no complications. Suspected pleural infection was documented in 2 (3.5%) cases. 33% (19/57) of patients underwent 'spontaneous' pleurodesis at a median time of 71 days. Patients with hepatic disease achieved pleurodesis significantly less often than those with non-hepatic disease (p=0.03). These data support the use of IPCs in select cases of non-malignant disease when maximal medical therapy has failed.
Citation
Thorax. 2014 Oct;69(10):959-61.
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