Background: Chronic pleural effusion following lung transplantation (LTx) is often responsible for respiratory insufficiency and can lead to lung entrapment. Decortication carries considerable morbidity, and extended use of tube thoracostomy is not practical. We have utilized an indwelling pleurocutaneous catheter in the setting of intractable post-transplant effusion and have reviewed our experience to determine whether this strategy: 1) facilitates resolution of effusion, and 2) adequately palliates lung entrapment.
Methods: Twelve PleurX (Denver Biomedical, Golden, CO, USA) catheters were placed in 9 LTx patients (6 unilateral, 3 bilateral) for refractory pleural effusions after standard tube thoracostomy drainage failed (12/12). Two-thirds of the patients (8/12) also had concomitant lung entrapment.
Results: There was no operative mortality. Median time from LTx to catheter placement was 79 days (range 21-769). Catheter use achieved the desired outcome in 11/12 placements. Catheters remained in place for a median of 86 days (range 35-190). Direct catheter-related complications included hemothorax (1) and empyema (1).
Conclusion: Use of an indwelling pleurocutaneous catheter effectively achieves its intended goals of pleurodesis and management of entrapped lungs after LTx.
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