Video-thoracoscopic surgical pleurodesis in the management of malignant pleural effusion: the importance of an early intervention.

Thoracentesis plays an important role in cancer patients with symptomatic effusions, although its effect is short-lived and symptoms recur in almost all patients. Early video-thoracoscopic surgical pleurodesis may provide added benefit to a group of patients with advanced cancer presenting with symptomatic malignant pleural effusion. Seventy-six patients with advanced cancer and pleural effusion due to pulmonary-pleural metastases were recruited. In 51 cases (67.1%), at least one thoracentesis was performed before admission for surgery. Preoperative staging consisted of chest radiograph, CT scan, and blood gas analysis. The mean Karnofsky performance status was about 50. Pleurodesis with ta…