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. 2023 May 30;15(5):2469-2474.
doi: 10.21037/jtd-22-1517. Epub 2023 Mar 27.

Indwelling pleural catheters for persistent pleural effusions secondary to post lung resection for malignancies

Jean Reinoso  1 , Ghulam Aftab  1 , Karthik Vijayan  1 , Hiren J Mehta  1
Affiliations

Indwelling pleural catheters for persistent pleural effusions secondary to post lung resection for malignancies

Jean Reinoso et al. J Thorac Dis. .

Abstract

Background: Malignant and nonmalignant pleural effusions (NMPEs) such as those due to hepatic hydrothorax have been successfully treated with an indwelling pleural catheter (IPC) with a low complication rate. There is no literature on the utility or safety of this treatment modality for NMPE post lung resection. We aimed to assess the utility of IPC for recurrent symptomatic NMPE secondary to post lung resection in lung cancer patients over a period of 4 years.

Methods: Patients who underwent lobectomy or segmentectomy as part of the treatment plan for lung cancer between January 2019 and June 2022 were identified, these patients were screened for post-surgical pleural effusion. A total of 422 underwent lung resection, of which 12 had recurrent symptomatic pleural effusions requiring IPC placement and were selected for final analysis. The primary end points were improved symptomatology and successful pleurodesis.

Results: Mean time to IPC placement was 78.4 days post-surgery. The mean length of IPC catheter was 77.7 days standard deviation (SD) 23.8. All 12 patients achieved spontaneous pleurodesis (SP), there was no second pleural intervention or re-accumulation of fluid on follow up imaging in any of the subjects after IPC removal. Two patients (16.7%) had skin infection related to catheter placement that was managed with oral antibiotics, there were no cases of pleural infections that required catheter removal.

Conclusions: IPC is a safe and effective alternative in managing recurrent NMPE post lung cancer surgery with high rate of pleurodesis and acceptable complication rates.

Keywords: Pleural effusion; case series; indwelling pleural catheter (IPC); nonmalignant pleural effusion (NMPE); pleurodesis.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at https://jtd.amegroups.com/article/view/10.21037/jtd-22-1517/coif). The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Screening and selection of patients. post-op, post operative; IPC, indwelling pleural catheter.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

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