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Indwelling pleural catheters (IPCs) are commonly used in the management of malignant pleural effusion (MPE). There is little data on their use in non-malignant conditions. All IPC insertions for non-malignant cases from five large UK centres were found using prospectively maintained databases. Data were collected on 57 IPC insertions. The commonest indications were hepatic hydrothorax (33%) and inflammatory pleuritis (26%). The mean weekly fluid output was 2.8 L (SD 2.52). 48/57 (84%) patients had no complications. Suspected pleural infection was documented in 2 (3.5%) cases. 33% (19/57) of patients underwent 'spontaneous' pleurodesis at a median time of 71 days. Patients with hepatic disease achieved pleurodesis significantly less often than those with non-hepatic disease (p=0.03). These data support the use of IPCs in select cases of non-malignant disease when maximal medical therapy has failed.

Original publication

DOI

10.1136/thoraxjnl-2013-204563

Type

Journal article

Journal

Thorax

Publication Date

10/2014

Volume

69

Pages

959 - 961

Keywords

Empyema, Pleural Disease, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Catheters, Indwelling, Drainage, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Pleural Effusion, Recurrence, Retrospective Studies, Time Factors, Treatment Outcome