Talc pleurodesis in recurrent pleural effusions

Background and aims: The treatment of recurrent malignant pleural effusions is known to be difficult and varies from observation in asymptomatic patients to pleurectomy with varying results. This prospective study presents the efficacy and the limits of iodized talc pleurodesis in patients with malignant and non-malignant recurrent pleural effusions. Methods: In a prospective trial talc pleurodesis was performed in 50 patients with recurrent pleural effusions (malignant effusions: n=36, non-malignant effusions: n = 14). After insertion of a chest tube and complete re-expansion of the lung, 5 mg of talc and 3 mg of thymol iodine were installed with 0.5 mi of 1 % xylocaine/kg body weight and 30 mi 0.9% saline solution. The chest tube was removed after an average time of 3 days and chest radiographs were performed 1 month after instillation to evaluate the efficacy of pleurodesis. Results: Successful therapy was achieved in 31 of 33 patients (94%) with malignant effusions within a follow-up period of 7 months. Three patients died within 1 month after therapy due to progressive malignant disease. The treatment was successful in all cases of non-malignant effusions and complications did not occur in either group. Conclusions: These results indicate that pleurodesis with iodized talcum slurry is a simple and inexpensive method with high efficacy in controlling malignant and non-malignant pleural effusions.