Feasibility and safety of thoracoscopic pleural fixation in the treatment of malignant pleural effusion

Abstract

Objective To investigate the feasibility and safety of thoracoscopic pleura fixation in the treatment of malignant pleural effusion. Methods The clinical data of 80 patients with malignant pleural effusion were retrospectively analyzed, and patients were divided into observation group and control group according to treatment methods, with 40 cases in each group. Patients in observation group were treated by thoracoscopic pleura fixation, and patients in control group were treated by closed thoracic drainage. The pleural effusion control condition, pleural effusion protein, white blood cell (WBC) count, lactate dehydrogenase level and the Karnofsky (KPS) score were compared between the two groups. Results The total effective rate of pleural effusion control in observation group was higher than that in control group, the difference was statistically significant (P 0.05); after treatment, the indexes of all pleural effusion were lower than those before treatment, and the decrease of observation group was greater than that of control group, the difference was statistically significant (P 0.05); after treatment, the KPS scores of the two groups were all higher than those before treatment, and the increase of the KPS score in observation group was higher than that in control group, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusions Thoracoscopic pleura fixation has a better efficacy and safety in the treatment of malignant pleural effusion. It can improve the efficiency of the control of hydrothorax, reduce the precipitation of protein and improve the quality of life. Key words: Thoracoscopy; Pleurodesis; Malignant pleural effusion; Efficacy; Thoracic close drainage