Video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) pleurodesis for malignant effusion: An Australian teaching hospital's experience

Abstract

Background. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is commonly employed to achieve pleurodesis in patients suffering malignant pleural effusion (MPE). Aims. To evaluate the utility and outcome of VATS pleurodesis in management of MPE. Methods. Two hundred and two consecutive VATS pleurodesis for MPE were evaluated. Data was derived from a prospectively maintained database and hospital records. Pleurodesis was deemed unsuccessful if a significant effusion occurred within 30 days of surgery. Results. VATS pleurodesis was successful in 88% of patients (failure 12%) while recurrence of effusion occurred in 18%. Post-operative air space, air leak, empyema and prolonged intercostal catheter d..