Original Research Article
Year: 2018 | Month: June | Volume: 8 | Issue: 6 | Pages: 14-18
Efficacy of Pleurodesis with Low Dose Talc in Malign Pleural Effusions
Aykut Eliçora1, Adil Avcı2, Veysel Altun3, Hüseyin F. Sezer4, Salih Topçu2, Galbinur Abdullayev2
1Bülent Ecevit University, Faculty of Medicine Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zonguldak, Türkiye
2Kocaeli University, Faculty of Medicine Department of Thoracic Surgery, Kocaeli, Türkiye
3Kocaeli University, Faculty of Medicine, Kocaeli, Türkiye
4Kastamonu State Hospital, Kastamonu, Türkiye
Corresponding Author: Aykut Eliçora
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Malignant pleural effusion is the appearance of cancer cells in the pleural space with pleural invasion or metastasis. Pleurodesis is a commonly used treatment modality in the treatment of recurrent malignant pleural effusions. The most commonly used agent for pleurodesis is sterile talc. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of low dose (2 grams) talc in patients at risk for pleurodesis.
Materials & Methods: Fifty patients with malignant pleural effusion were treated with 2-g talc pleurodesis. The cases were 20 males and 30 females. Patients Grouped into four groups as breast, gastrointestinal-renal (stomach, colon, renal), lung (lung ca, mesothelioma) and gynecological malignancies (endometrium, over ca).
Results: Twenty-one patients (42%) developed pleural effusion and 29 patients (58%) did not develop recurrence. 12 patients had only chest pain and 2 patients developed transient respiratory distress due to the procedure. No mortality related to the procedure was observed in any of the patients.
Conclusion: Pleurodesis with low dose talc success rate is very similar to the success rate of pleurodesis with high dose talc. Therefore, pleurodesis with low dose talc should be preferred especially in patients at risk and general impairment.
Key words: low dose, talk, pleurodesis.