[The thoracoscopic talc pleurodesis with intraoperative pleural biopsy - a retrospective analysis in patients with malignant pleural effusion].

BACKGROUND: The thoracoscopic pleurodesis with talc is an established therapy in case of malignant pleural effusion. With the instillation of talc a -localised inflammation is induced. However, some-times it turns into a severe systemic reaction. In this study of the postoperative course, the -question is examined whether a pleural biopsy is an additional risk factor for morbidity and mortality after talc pleurodesis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2002 and December 2004, 77 patients with a malignant pleural effusion were enrolled in this retrospective trial. All patients received a thoracoscopic talc pleurodesis. The patients were divided retrospectively into two groups: 50 patients with an intra-operative pleural biopsy, 27 patients without a biopsy were the control group. C-reactive protein (CrP), leukocytes, and creatinine were -analysed.

RESULTS: In both groups, CrP and leukocytes increased postoperatively with a peak on day 2 or 3. In general, the analysed data for creatinine -showed in the median standard values but with a high range up to at most 317 micromol / L on the 2 (nd) postoperative day, also in both groups. At no time was any significant difference in laboratory values seen among the two groups. Concerning morbidity and mortality also no significant difference could be determined.

CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant differences for the examined laboratory values or for the morbidity / mortality between the two groups. That is why a disadvantage for patients with an intraoperative pleural biopsy is not to be expected.