Abstract
Background: Talc particle size is an important determining factor for complication in talc pleurodesis.
Aims: To investigate any change in complication rate for talc pleurodesis after replacement of talc preparation from small to large particle size
Methods: It is a longitudinal cohort study conducted in Kwong Wah Hospital, Hong Kong. Talc preparation was changed from small (mean diameter<10µm) to large particle size (Steritalc©:mean size:31.3µm) since 1st Jan,10. Patients who received new talc prepartion(1st Jan 10 to 31st Dec,11) were compared to those received old talc preparation(1st Jan07 to 31st Dec09). The safety profile and efficacy of pleurodesis were compared between the 2 groups.
Results: 141 patients were recruited. Since the change of talc prepration from small to large particle size, ARDS was totally eliminated. Post-pleurodesis fever was significantly reduced from 30.7 to 9.4%, resulting in a significant drop in antibiotic use.
Moreover, the efficacy of chemical pleurodesis was not jeopardized.
Conclusions: There was a significant reduction in complication rates in chemical pleurodesis after replacement of the talc preparation from small to large particle size.
- © 2012 ERS