Pleurodesis: A Comparision of Two Sclerosing Agents for Pleural Effusion

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Pleural effusion is one of the most frequentlyencountered pathology in our hospital. Thoracocentesis,thoracostomy, pleurodesis is the most commonly usedtreatment options for recurrent and persistent pleural effusion.Sterile talc powder is most commonly used as an sclerosingagent. In our study we have used sodium tetradecyl sulfateas a newer sclerosing agent and we have compared thecomplication rate, clinical response and success rate inboth sodium tetradecyl sulfate and talc sclerosing agent forpleurodesis. Study aimed to compare the safety and efficacyof the sodium tetradecyl sulfate and talc as a pleurodesis agentin pleural effusion cases.Material and methods: Pleural effusion cases (both malignantand non-malignant cases) were randomly allocated into groupA or group B. Group A patients were treated with 60mg of3% sodium tetradecyl sulfate, Group B patients were treatedwith 2 grams of sterile talc powder. Clinical data regardinggeneral complications, the rate of success, reduction in ICDdrainage and lung expansion were noted for every patient whounderwent pleurodesis.Results: 25 patients were allocated in each group. Patientscharacteristics were balanced between the two groups withthe majority of pleural effusion malignant in etiology. There isa statistically significant difference between the use of sodiumtetradecyl sulfate and talc in clinical response, ICD drainageand lung re-expansion. Sodium tetradecyl sulfate patient hasbetter lung reexpansion and clinical response in comparison totalc powder. The general complication was observed to be lowwith sodium tetradecyl sulfate than talc pleurodesis.Conclusion: Sodium tetradecyl sulfate pleurodesis appearsto have better pleurodesis effect than talc pleurodesis in ourstudy