Interventional management of recurrent malignant pleural effusion: state of the art in 2021.

OBJECTIVE

This narrative review aims to describe and compare different interventional methods for the management of recurrent malignant pleural effusion and offers perspectives for the future era.

BACKGROUND

Dyspnea as a result of the recurrent malignant pleural effusion is one of the main factors decreasing the quality of life in patients with oncologic diseases. To date, there is no strict guideline for the management of malignant pleural effusions.

RESULTS

Several different techniques are available to prevent production of the effusion or to provide intermittent drainage, however, the principle of these methods remains palliative. The choice of treatment in any patient depends mainly on the preferences of the patient, speed of the fluid production, expandability of the lung, and predicted survival of the patients. The interventional methods of managing malignant pleural effusions are described in detail, including thoracocentesis, chemical pleurodesis, talc poudrage pleurodesis, slurry pleurodesis, thoracoscopic procedures, indwelling pleural catheters, implantable pleural ports, and pleuroperitoneal shunting.

CONCLUSION

Pleurodesis and fully implantable devices such as pleural ports may become the most useful techniques in the future, mainly because of better comfort for the patients and no need for repeated pleural punctures (Ref. 55).