Recurrent malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is a common concomitant phenomenon of malignant
disease, which can worsen the patient's quality of life and lead to significant morbidity.
Tunneled indwelling pleural catheters (TIPC) offer new modalities in patients with
recurrent MPE and impaired dilatability of the lung. We report on our experience with
100 consecutive patients suffering from recurrent benign (n = 12) and malignant pleural
effusion (n = 88) who were treated with TIPC. The catheter was placed during a VATS
procedure or under local anesthesia in an open technique. The median residence time
of the TIPC was 70 days; spontaneous pleurodesis was achieved in 29 patients. The
rate of complications was low: pleura empyema (n = 4), accidental dislodgement (n = 2),
malfunction of the drainage (n = 3). In conclusion, TIPC is a useful method for the
palliative treatment of patients with recurrent malignant or nonmalignant pleural
effusions and 3 groups of patients seem to benefit most: a) patients with the intraoperative
finding of a trapped lung in diagnostic VATS procedure; b) patients after a history
of repeated pleuracenteses or previously failed attempts at pleurodesis; c) patients
in a reduced condition with a limited lifespan due to underlying disease.
tunneled pleural catheter - malignant pleural effusion - entrapped lung - pleurodesis
- pleuracentesis
