Video-Assisted-Thoracoscopic-Surgery Pleural Decorticator for Emergency Empyema Surgery.

BACKGROUND/NEED: Pleural empyemas carry a high morbidity and mortality. Some can be managed with medical treatment but most require some form of surgery with the goals to remove the infected material from the pleural space and to help re-expand the collapsed lung. Keyhole surgery by Video Assisted Thoracoscopy Surgery (VATS) is rapidly becoming a common approach to deal with early stage empyemas to avoid larger, more painful thoracotomies that hinder recovery. However, the ability to achieve those aforementioned goals is often hindered by VATS surgery due to the instruments available. METHODOLOGY AND DEVICE DESCRIPTION: We have developed a simple instrument called the "VATS Pleural Debrider" to achieve those goals in empyema surgery that can be used in keyhole surgery. PRELIMINARY RESULTS: We have used this device in over 90 patients with no peri-operative mortality and a low re-operation rate. CURRENT STATUS: Used in routine urgent/emergency pleural empyema surgery across 2 cardiothoracic surgery centres.

[Postoperative drainage of the pleural cavity with aspiration of the contents by high-tech mobile devices]. / Posleoperatsionnoe drenirovanie plevral'noi polosti s aspiratsiei soderzhimogo vysokotekhnologichnymi mobil'nymi apparatami.

Postoperative drainage of pleural cavity is currently a common component of treatment of patients with surgical diseases of thoracic organs. Peculiarities of suctioning (aspiration parameters, passive drainage or active aspiration, the degree of discharge in the device-pleural cavity system, as well as the possibility of early patient activation, no need to «attach¼ him to the electric stationary suction) remain topical and continue to be discussed. New devices - aspirators, including mobile ones with digital control and rarefaction control component, appear in the market. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between May and September 2021, 65 patients aged from 23 to 88 years with various oncological and non-oncological diseases of the thoracic cavity followed by drainage underwent resection operations with a volume less than pneumonectomy or lung decortication for empyema, parietal pleurectomy for recurrent pneumothorax. Six patients (4 after pneumonectomy and one with postoperative complications (1 after retoracotomy for hemothorax and 1 after laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute destructive cholecystitis in the immediate postoperative period) were excluded from the study. The patients were divided into 2 groups. The first group consisted of 22 patients in whom in the early postoperative period we used continuous active pleural content aspiration with the help of high-tech mobile devices Atmos. The second group included 37 patients in whom we used drainage by means of medical suction of Lavrinovich or Visma-Planar design (Belarus). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Soft drainage by modern systems of pleural cavity content evacuation provides the best conditions for stopping air leakage from the lung tissue as well as for preventing pneumothorax when transporting a patient from the operating room and around the clinic for examination. The early activation of the patient with the connected mobile digital aspirator not only promotes the Fast-track surgery concept but also the ERAS program, i.e. accelerated rehabilitation, as recommended by the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons (ESTS). These designs also have advantages over stationary devices, such as subjective factors based on the relative ease of operation of mobile systems in their use, accessibility not only for medical staff, but also for the patient himself.

Video-assisted thoracic surgery in the primary management of advanced ovarian carcinoma with moderate to large pleural effusions: A Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Team Ovary Study.

OBJECTIVES: We assessed the utility of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) in defining extent of intrathoracic disease in advanced ovarian carcinoma with moderate-to-large pleural effusions. METHODS: Beginning in 2001, VATS was performed on all patients with suspected advanced ovarian carcinoma and moderate-to-large pleural effusions, evaluating for macroscopic intrathoracic disease. The algorithm recommended primary debulking surgery (PDS) for ≤1 cm, neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT)/interval debulking surgery (IDS) for >1 cm intrathoracic disease. We reviewed records of patients undergoing VATS from 10/01-01/19. Differences between treatment groups were tested using standard statistical techniques. RESULTS: One-hundred patients met eligibility criteria (median age, 60; median CA-125 level, 1158 U/mL; medium serum albumin, 3.8 g/dL). Macroscopic pleural disease was found in 70 (70%). After VATS, 50 (50%) underwent attempted PDS (PDS group), 50 (50%) received NACT (NACT/IDS group). Forty-seven (94%) underwent IDS. Median overall survival (OS) for the entire cohort (n = 100) was 44.5 months (95% CI: 37.8-51.7). The PDS group had significantly longer survival than the NACT/IDS group [45.8 (95% CI: 40.5-87.8) vs. 37.4 months (95% CI: 33.3-45.2); p = .016]. On multivariable analysis, macroscopic intrathoracic disease (HR 2.18, 95% CI: 1.14-4.18; p = .019) and age ≥ 65 (HR 1.98, 95% CI: 1.16-3.40; p = .013) were independently associated with elevated death risk. Patients with the best outcome had no macroscopic disease at VATS and underwent PDS (median OS, 87.8 months). CONCLUSIONS: VATS is useful in therapeutic decision-making for PDS vs. NACT/IDS in advanced ovarian cancer with moderate-to-large pleural effusions.

Long-Term Outcomes After Thoracoamniotic Shunt for Pleural Effusions With Secondary Hydrops.

BACKGROUND: Congenital pleural effusion is a rare condition with an incidence of approximately one per 15,000 pregnancies. The development of secondary hydrops is a poor prognostic indicator and such cases can be managed with a thoracoamniotic shunt (TAS). Our objective is to describe postnatal outcomes in survivors after TAS placement for congenital pleural effusions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of all cases with fetal pleural effusions treated between 2006 and 2016. Patients with dominant unilateral or bilateral pleural effusions complicated by secondary hydrops fetalis received TAS placement. The results are reported as median (range). RESULTS: A total of 29 patients with pleural effusion with secondary hydrops underwent TAS placement. The gestational age at the initial TAS placement was 27.6 (20.3-36.9) wk. Before delivery, hydrops resolved in 17 (58.6%) patients. The delivery gestational age was 35.7 (25.4-41.0) wk and the overall survival rate was 72.4%. Among the 21 survivors, 19 (90.5%) required admission to the neonatal intensive care unit for 15 (5-64) d. All 21 survivors had postnatal resolution of the pleural effusions. All 21 children were long-term survivors, with a median age of survivorship of 3 y 3 mo (9 mo-7 y 6 mo) at the time of last reported follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracoamniotic shunting in fetuses with a dominant pleural effusion(s) and secondary hydrops resulted in a 72% survival rate. Nearly all survivors required admission to the neonatal intensive care unit. However, a majority did not have significant long-term morbidity.

Prophylactic Opening of the Pleural Cavity for Postoperative Drainage is a Risk Factor for Prolonged Pleural Effusion After a Fontan Operation.

Postoperative prolonged pleural effusion (PPE) remains a confounding problem after a Fontan operation. We aimed to describe the risk factors for PPE after a Fontan operation and to clarify the impact of prophylactic opening of the pleural cavity (POPC) for drainage tube insertion on PPE. We retrospectively reviewed the medical charts of 50 consecutive patients who underwent a Fontan operation at our institution. POPC for postoperative drainage was performed based on each surgeon's preference. Patients were divided into three groups for analysis: group A (n = 12), no opening; group B (n = 14), unilateral opening; and group C (n = 24), bilateral opening. At the time of surgery, the median age of our patient group was 26 months, with a median body weight of 10.5 kg. The volume of pleural effusion tended to be lower in group A than in groups B and C (p = 0.08). The median duration of drainage was significantly shorter (p = 0.03) in group A (3 days) than in group B (4 days) or C (5 days). Overall, 12 patients required chest tube drainage for ≥ 7 days. Multivariate analysis revealed POPC (p = 0.01) and postoperative water balance (p = 0.03) as independent predictors of PPE. POPC and postoperative water balance are risk factors for PPE after a Fontan operation. Therefore, avoiding POPC for postoperative drainage may reduce the risk of postoperative pleural effusion and morbidities associated with PPE after a Fontan operation.

The first experience of the use of hydro-surgical technologies in the treatment of children with pulmatic-pleural complications of destructive pneumonia. / Pervyi opyt primeneniia gidrokhirurgicheskikh tekhnologii v lechenii detei s legochno-plevral'nymi oslozhneniiami destruktivnoi pnevmonii.

Drainage and endoscopic methods of sanitation of the pleural cavity do not always allow to achieve effective debridement of pathological contents. AIM: To development and introduction into clinical practice of hydrosurgical technologies for debridement of the pleural cavity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From 423 children with acute community-acquired pneumonia 88 (20.80%) children destructive pneumonia were diagnosed. Of the 88 patients with destructive pneumonia, 28 patients did not have pleural complications and were excluded from the study. 60 patients were divided into 2 groups depending on the method of surgical treatment. In the first group (n=30), two additional subgroups were formed: IA group (main n=15) - they carried out drainage and washing the pleural cavity with saline; IB group (control n=15) - only drainage of the pleural cavity. The second group (n=30) were also divided into 2 subgroups; Group IIA (main n=15) children operated according to the method of video-assisted thoracoscopic sanitations of the pleural cavity developed by us using hydrosurgical technologies; Group IIB (control n=15) - children are operated on by the method of traditional video-assisted thoracoscopic sanitations of the pleural cavity. A prospective, non-randomized, single-center study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of various treatments. The treatment plan was determined on the basis of a combination of anamnesis, clinical and instrumental studies and laboratory parameters. RESULTS: All studied in the comparison groups were homogeneous by sex, weight and height. The results of applying the Kruskal-Wallis test revealed statistically significant differences between the groups for the periods of relief of the intoxication syndrome (p<0.001) and the periods of relief of the pain syndrome (p=0.012) in favor of the main group. Summarizing all analyzing the parameters in the comparison groups allowed us to prove the advantage of the proposed treatment methods over the treatment methods used in the control groups. CONCLUSION: Hydrosurgical methods of treatment demonstrate obvious clinical and economic efficacy, which leads to the rapid reexpantion of the affected lung.

[Thoracoscopic pulmonary resection for metastatic lesion without pleural drainage: initial experience]. / Torakoskopicheskie rezektsii legkogo pri metastaticheskom porazhenii bez ustanovki plevral'nogo drenazha: nachal'nyi opyt.

AIM: To analyze the possibility of thoracoscopic pulmonary resection for metastatic lesion without pleural drainage. MATERIAL AND METHODS: There were 10 patients aged 53.8 years. Most of patients had solitary lung injury within 3 cm from the visceral pleura on the average. Surgical treatment was performed in standard fashion: hardware atypical pulmonary resection within healthy tissues. Pleural cavity was drained with 24 Fr tube. After that lung was inflated under visual control. Since wounds were closured residual air was evacuated by active aspiration and drainage tube was removed. Control chest X-ray was performed in 2 hours and 1 day after surgery. RESULTS: The technique was successful in all patients. Mean surgery time was 52 minutes. There was no blood loss in all patients. Pneumo- and/or hydrothorax were absent according to control chest X-ray in postoperative period. Mean length of postoperative hospital-stay was 3 days (median 2 days). There were no cases of repeated hospitalization.

Management of Pleural Space After Lung Resection by Cryoneuroablation of Phrenic Nerve: A Randomized Study.

OBJECTIVES: Residual air space problems after pulmonary lobectomy are an important concern in thoracic surgical practice, and various procedures have been applied to manage them. This study describes a novel technique using controllable paralysis of the diaphragm by localized freezing of the phrenic nerve, and assesses the effectiveness of this procedure to reduce air space after pulmonary lobectomy. METHODS: In this prospective randomized study, 207 patients who underwent lobectomy or bilobectomy and systematic mediastinal node dissection in our department between January 2009 and November 2013 were randomly allocated to a cryoneuroablation group or a conventional group. Patients in the cryoneuroablation group (n = 104) received phrenic nerve cryoneuroablation after lung procedures, and patients in the conventional group (n = 103) did not receive cryoneuroablation after the procedure. Data regarding preoperative clinical and surgical characteristics in both groups were collected. Both groups were compared with regard to postoperative parameters such as total amount of pleural drainage, duration of chest tube placement, length of hospital stay, requirement for repeat chest drain insertion, prolonged air leak, and residual space. Perioperative lung function was also compared in both groups. Recovery of diaphragmatic movement in the cryoneuroablation group was checked by fluoroscopy on the 15th, 30th, and 60th day after surgery. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in patient characteristics between the 2 groups; nor was there a difference in terms of hospital stay, new drain requirement, and incidence of empyema. In comparison with the conventional group, the cryoneuroablation group had less total drainage (1024 ± 562 vs 1520 ± 631 mL, P < .05), fewer cases of residual space (9 vs 2, P < .05), fewer cases of prolonged air leak (9 vs 1, P < .01), and shorter duration of drainage (3.2 ± 0.2 vs 4.3 + 0.3 days, P < .01). Diaphragmatic paralyses caused by cryoneuroablation reversed within 30 to 60 days. CONCLUSIONS: Cryoneuroablation of the phrenic nerve offers a reasonable option for prevention of residual air space following major pulmonary resection.

Pleural gas analysis for the identification of alveolopleural fistulae.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The method for identification of alveolopleural fistulae (APF) by visual inspection of air bubbles in the chest drainage system has several limitations and suffers from poor accuracy. Here we discuss the use of a novel technique of pleural gas analysis in the identification and management of APF. RECENT FINDINGS: We found that pleural gas analysis has higher sensitivity and specificity than visual inspection in identifying APF. Additionally, we demonstrated that intrapleural gas milieu impacts lung healing and reduction of intrapleural carbon dioxide can promote resolution of APF. SUMMARY: Pleural gas analysis is a novel technique to identify and manage APF. Integration of gas analysis in chest drainage systems would provide a more objective method for managing chest tubes and providing a favorable pleural gas environment for lung healing.

[Review of evidence-based modern treatment for chylothorax]. / A chylothorax modern kezelésének bizonyítékalapú áttekintése.

Chylothorax is a multi-factorial complication, frequently of an operation or an accident, but rarely of a tumour. In the absence of prospective or randomised studies evidence-based treatment is normally based on personal experience, ideally in the possession of retrospective analyses using the "best practice" method. The aim of the authors was the review the up-to-date chylothorax treatments. They performed the PubMed database's "chylothorax" keyword search of the publications reported in the last ten years. They put emphasis on articles that included a comparative analysis of the various treatment options. During the critical analysis of the methods and recommendations, the authors relied on their own joint experience amounting to 39 years. The results showed that the success of the initial conservative treatment indicates a significant deviation depending on the etiology (3-90%). The success rate of non-invasive or semi-invasive interventions is between 50-100%, again depending on the etiology. The standard surgical treatment following an unsuccessful conservative treatment of an operable patient includes the fitting of a (thoracoscopic) knot to the ductus thoracicus, pleurodesis, insertion of a permanent chest drain or a pleuroperitoneal shunt. The success rate of these interventions is between 64-100%, with a morbidity index and mortality index exceeding 25%. Conservative treatment should be the first step, which should then be followed by a gradually increased aggressive therapy, during which the decisions should be made according to the patient's condition and the drain volume. Interventional radiology procedures are safe, successful and they can be offered concurrently with conservative or operative treatment, although they are available only in a few centres.

[Absence of postoperative pulmonary impermeability in patients with spontaneous pneumothorax]. / Posleoperatsionnaya negermetichnost' legkogo u patsientov so spontannym pnevmotoraksom.

AIM: to improve treatment of patients with spontaneous pneumothorax who had not postoperative pulmonary impermeability. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 87 patients with spontaneous pneumothorax underwent videothoracoscopy (VTS), lung resection supplemented by pleurodesis (parietal pleurectomy or pleural abrasion). Absence of pulmonary impermeability was observed in 5 (5.7%) patients. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Re-operation was performed in 2 patients (Vanderschuren 2 and 3) namely re-thoracoscopy and thoracotomy with additional ligation of air origins. Drainage tubes were removed in 4 and 17 days postoperatively in patient without/with emphysema respectively. In patient (Vanderschuren 1) who underwent thoracoscopic resection and parietal pleural abrasion valve bronchoblocation was performed in 9 days after VTS due to persistent pneumothorax. Pleural drainage tube was removed in 13 days (emphysema) after bronchial valve deployment. 2 patients (Vanderschuren 4) had heterogeneous pulmonary emphysema. One of them underwent video-assisted mini-thoracotomy, lung resection with reinforcement of seams with synthetic material. In other observation conversion to thoracotomy followed by atypical resection of bullous emphysema and manual suturing of lung was applied. In both cases bronchoblocation was performed intraoperatively with good results. Drainage tubes were removed in 13 and 17 days respectively. There were no complications. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative endoscopic bronchoblocation is advisable if air leakage is considerable in operating theater and complicates lung smoothing. Such approach reduces hospital-stay and improves outcomes.

COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT OF THORACOSCOPY AND DESTRUCTION OF PULMONARY BULLAS COMBINED WITH PLEURODESIS AND PLEURECTOMY.

The article presents the results of thoracoscopic surgeries in case of bullous emphysema of the lung in 88 patients. The patients have been divided into 2 groups according to the method of treatment: 1) destruction of pulmonary bullas and pleurodesis using diathermic electrocoagulation (42 people); 2) destruction of pulmonary bullas and subtotal pleurectomy (47 people). The operative periods weren't statistically differentiated in patient's groups. The volume of hemorrhage and exudation period from the pleural cavity were significantly higher in patient's group, where patients underwent pleurectomy. However, lung spreading terms and ending of air leakage, periods of drains removal from the pleural cavity, hospital stay and rate of pneumothorax recurrence were considerably smaller in the group without application of pleurodesis.

[ANALYSIS OF MICROFLORA OF PLEURAL CAVITY IN PLEURAL EMPYEMA].

In the pleural empyema (PE) treatment, not depending on introduction of multiple operative procedures and the medicinal preparations application, some issues remain unsolved, including the infection agents verification, the most rapid bronchial fistula elimination and the lung volume restoration. The EP infection agents spectrum, their sensitivity to preparations were revealed, as well as the enhanced rate of the methicillin-resistant stamms (MRSA) and the microorganisms associations verification. A reduction of the infection agents sensitivity towards "simple" antibacterial preparations was established, so the physicians, treating PE, must prescribe "hard" antibiotics, what enhances its cost.

Is extra-pleura Nuss procedure more secure and effective?

PURPOSE: To compare total extra-pleura Nuss procedure with classical Nuss, and evaluate the efficacies and safety of thoracoscopic total extra-pleural approach of Nuss procedure for correction of pectus excavatum in children. METHODS: We managed 69 patients with pectus excavatum from July 2006 to October 2012. Of the 69 patients, 40 underwent thoracoscopic total extra-pleural approach of Nuss (group A), and 29 underwent classical Nuss procedure (group B). In group A, there were 29 boys and 11 girls, and the mean age was 6.4 (ranged from 3.5 to 14.5). Under thoracoscopic guidance, an extra-pleural tunnel was created using a blunt dissector via a right thoracic incision. A steel bar was inserted in the entirely extra-pleural tunnel. The bar was turned and fixed as in standard Nuss procedure. In group B, there were 20 boys and 9 girls, and the mean age was 5.9 (ranged from 4 to 11) years. Under thoracoscopic guidance, a blunt dissector was inserted into pleura cavity directly via a right thoracic incision. It was a standard Nuss procedure. RESULTS: The operations were completed successfully in all patients. None of the children developed pneumothorax or injuries to the pericardium, heart or lungs. The operating time was 42.0 ± 5.3 and 43.4 ± 6.0 min in group A and B, respectively, and the difference was not significant (p = 0.306). Compared to group B, the postoperative hospital stay of group A was shorter (4.0 ± 1.1 vs 5.2 ± 1.2 days, p = 0.001). The outcomes of both groups were similar (97.5% in group A vs 93.8% in group B, p = 0.377) but pain time was shorter, and time of taking painkiller was less than those of group B (2.6 ± 0.8 vs 4.1 ± 1.0 days, p = 0.001; 1.1 ± 0.6 vs 1.8 ± 0.9 time, p = 0.008). No patients in group A developed subcutaneous emphysema or pleural irritation, while 5 patients in group B showed the symptoms (p = 0.004). All patients were followed-up for 4-30 months (mean 20.2). During the follow-up, none of the children had pulmonary infection or dislocation of the steel board or fixation instruments before the bar was removed. 69 patients removed their bar after a 24-month period on average. According to Nuss' postoperative assessment criteria, one patient in group B was fair. The other patients were all excellent or good. CONCLUSIONS: Extra-pleura Nuss procedure under thoracoscopic guidance is a safe and less traumatic procedure for the correction of pectus excavatum. It is not only superior in postoperative recovery and pleural cavity protection, but also results in fewer complications than the intrapleural procedures.

[PLEURECTOMY--AS THE LEADING METHOD OF FUNCTIONAL PATIENTS REHABILITATION WITH CHRONIC TUBERCULOUS PLEURISY].

The authors are analyzing the epidemic situation in Ukraine and the epidemiology of chronic tuberculous pleuritis (CTP). They are suggesting 206 pleurectomy results of operated patiens. Restrictive type of venting disorders before surgery occurred are in 26.4% cases, 36.2% and 100%, respectively at 1; 2 and 3 stages of CTP. Reducing the number of patients with this type of violations occurred if 6.9 times, 11.7 times and 3.3 times respectively to operated in case of 1, 2 and 3 stages of CTP. Improvements and other positive functional parameters are submitted. The authors conclusion: pleurectomy is the method of functional rehabilitation at CTP cases.

[SITS-TECHNOLOGY USE IN SURGICAL TREATMENT OF EXUDATIVE PLEURISY ON PARTIAL OBLITERATION OF PLEURAL CAVITY].

The results of examination and treatment of 47 patients with pleural effusion of various origins on partialy obliteration pleural cavity was analysed. The efficiency SITS-technology (single-incision thoracoscopic surgery) use in the diagnosis and treatment of patients was proved. When using SITS-technology pleural exudation severity and duration decreased to (27 ± 9)%. Reduce operation trauma and pain intensity and better cosmetic effects with SITS-technology interventions was established.

[APPLICATION OF A ONE-PORTED VIDEOTHORACOSCOPY IN DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF A PLEURAL EXUDATE].

The results of examination and treatment of 71 patients for pleural exudates (PE) of various origin were analyzed. The efficacy of application of a one-ported thoracoscopy in diagnosis and treatment of a PE in patients with noncomplicated course of intrathoracic pathological processes was proved. The reduction of the PE quantity by (15 ± 4)% and duration of exudation by (15 ± 9)% was noted after performance of a one-ported thoracoscopic interventions, reduction of operative trauma and subjective sensation of pain, as well as best cosmetic effect.

New diagnostic technique for rapid fluorescence immunocytochemical staining of adenocarcinoma and mesothelial cells using liquid-based cytology.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the expression of antibodies against calretinin, cytokeratin 5/6, desmin, D2-40, HBME-1, mesothelin, thrombomodulin, WT1, Ber-EP4, CEA, EMA and MOC-31 individually and to compare it with a new rapid procedure for fluorescence immunocytochemistry (ICC) using liquid-based cytology (LBC). STUDY DESIGN: Sixty-four peritoneal cell specimens prepared with the LBC method were stained with these markers to evaluate their usefulness and develop a rapid fluorescence immunostaining method using Ber-EP4 that is applicable to intraoperative cancer cytodiagnosis. RESULTS: The adenocarcinoma markers were positive in 92% of adenocarcinoma cases, 57% of cases with suspicion of adenocarcinoma, and 5% of negative cases (reactive mesothelial cells). On the other hand, the mesothelial cell markers were positive in 8-15% of adenocarcinoma cases, 43-57% of cases with suspicion of adenocarcinoma, and 93-95% of negative cases. The rapid new fluorescence ICC procedure clearly stained only the adenocarcinoma cells within 20 min. CONCLUSION: Immunocytochemical examination with the LBC method is a powerful ancillary technique for discriminating adenocarcinoma cells from mesothelial cells. This rapid new fluorescence ICC procedure can be used as an ancillary technique for accurate detection of adenocarcinoma cells in the intraoperative cytological examination of peritoneal or pleural washing fluid.

[Pleurisy of unexpected etiology: a foreign body within the pleural cavity]. / Pleurésies d'étiologie inattendue: le corps étranger au sein de la cavité pleurale.

Following three brief clinical reports, we review the literature concerning a rare cause of exudative pleural effusion: the presence of a foreign body in the pleural cavity. Frequently iatrogenical, this rare etiology of pleural effusion must be envisaged when this complication develops after any invasive peri-thoracic surgery and must be included in the differential diagnosis of recurrent pleural effusions. These effusions have a favorable prognosis after withdrawal of the foreign body.