Tube thoracostomy during allogeneic stem cell transplantation does not carry an increased risk for infections or bleeding

Abstract

Background: Candidates for stem cell transplantation may occasionally suffer from massive pleural effusions related to their disease and require tube thoracostomy. The additional risk of this procedure during allogeneic transplantation procedure is not known.

Methods: Four high-risk patients transplanted in our institution during a 2-yr period had chest drainage by tube thoracostomy. The characteristics of the fluid, the clinical course, and the outcome were assessed.

Results: A total of nine chest drains were inserted (range 1-5). No bleeding complications related to the procedure were noted. None of the patients developed any clinical signs of local infection at the tube insertion site or within the pleural fluid. All cultures taken from the drained fluid or from the insertion wound were negative.

Conclusions: Tube thoracostomy in itself does not seem to pose additional risks in the transplant procedure, despite all patients in this series being considered to be at high-risk for complications.