Preliminary results of a new small-bore percutaneous pleural catheter used for treatment of malignant pleural effusions in ECOG PS 3-4 patients

Abstract: Background: In cancer patients with malignant pleural effusions(MPEs),the commonest procedure to treat them with palliative intention is talc pleurodesis (TP) which can be obtained with talc slurry (TS) using small-bore catheters(SBC)or with thoracoscopic poudrage. SBC use is therefore rapidly increasing. The aim of this paper is to present our preliminary TP results using a new percutaneous chest drainage system(UNICO (R),Redax,Mirandola Modena, Italy). Methods: In the period 1st March-20th of July 2011,seven consecutive ECOG PS 3-4 patients(4 females, mean age 73.2 +/- 12.1 years), unfit for thoracoscopic talc poudrage, were enrolled in our study. All patients received many thoracentesis before the placement of a chest drainage(median thoracentesis number:4.42 +/- 1.13).UNICO (R) was bedside placed in all cases and TS was administered through the drainage when the overall fluid amount didn't exceed 150-200 ml/24 h and the lung was correctly re-expanded at the chest X-ray control. Results: There were no clinical complications following the placement of the drainage: its placement was easy, safe and well-tolerated by all patients. The median chest tube stay, before TS, was 7.2 +/- 2.7 days while the median chest tube stay after TS was 1.5 +/- 0.7 days. A satisfactory radiological lung expansion was achieved in all cases; PL effectiveness and dyspnea relief were complete in 6 and 4 cases, respectively. No patients required any further thoracentesis. Conclusions: TS through UNICO (R) is safe and efficient. The drainage was well-tolerated by all patients, even in case of its long-term stay. We may conclude that bedside TS through this new small-bore percutaneous drainage should be proposed as a viable clinical solution for MPEs in ECOG PS 3-4 patients, unfit for a thoracoscopic procedure. Moreover, with this device, we believe that TS might be an accessible procedure for pulmonologists and oncologists too. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.