Malignant pleural effusions: Treatment with small-bore-catheter thoracostomy and talc pleurodesis

Thirty-two patients with a known primary malignancy and a symptomatic malig nant pleural effusion underwent small-bore-catheter thoracostomy and talc p leurodesis. Twenty-three patients (72%) had a complete response; four (12%) , a partial response; and five (16%), no response. Symptoms in all those wh o responded were clinically improved. Complications included fever in 13 pa tients (41%) and moderate shortness of breath, chest pain, or both in six ( 19%). Small-bore-catheter thoracostomy and talc pleurodesis was successful in:treating malignant pleural effusions.