Thoracoscopy in the diagnosis and management of recurrent pleural effusions

Abstract

Between April 1984 and July 1988, 102 patients with persistent or recurrent pleural effusions investigated by conventional methods in whom a diagnosis had not been achieved were submitted to thoracoscopy under general anesthesia. A positive diagnosis was obtained in 80.3% of the patients. The procedure was well tolerated, and although some of these were seriously ill patients, there were no procedure-related deaths.