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Use of tunnelled catheters for malignant pleural effusions in patients fit for pleurodesis

Divisions of Respiratory Medicine, University of Calgary, Southern Alberta Cancer Research Institute, AB, Canada.

CORRESPONDENCE: A. Tremblay, Division of Respiratory Medicine, Health Sciences Center, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada. Fax: 1 4039441577. E-mail: alain.tremblay{at}ucalgary.ca

Keywords: Cancer, dyspnoea, pleural effusion, pleurodesis

Received: December 18, 2006
Accepted June 6, 2007

The aim of the present study was to examine the effectiveness of tunnelled pleural catheters (TPC) in patients with malignant pleural effusions who would otherwise be candidates for pleurodesis.

Patients were selected from a previously reported database of 250 TPC insertions. The study group was selected based on lung re-expansion and survival as a surrogate maker of eligibility for pleurodesis procedure, as defined by survival of 90 days and lung re-expansion 80% post-drainage on a standard chest radiograph 2 weeks post TPC placement.

There were 109 procedures in 97 patients that met the entry criteria. Spontaneous pleurodesis (SP) was achieved following 70% of procedures and correlated with symptom control. The mean time to SP was 90 days. There was no need for a repeat procedure in 87% of cases overall and in 92% of patients experiencing SP. There were few complications and no procedure-related deaths.

Tunnelled pleural catheters are an effective way of controlling malignant pleural effusions when used as first-line treatment in patients who appear to be candidates for pleurodesis procedures.

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