Video Assisted Thoracoscopy Talc Pleurodesis in the Management of Metastatic Pleural Effusion

Introduction: Metastatic pleural effusion complicates many cancers and impairs patients' quality of life. In a palliative situation, the decision between thoracoscopy talc pleurodesis, tube chest, iterative punctures or abstention is difficult and often operator dependent. Materials and methods: We report a study of 87 patients with metastatic pleural effusion treated by video assisted thoracoscopy talc pleurodesis. Results: Breast cancer constitutes the primary site causing metastatic pleural effusion in approximately half of cases, followed by bronchopulmonary cancers and finally digestive cancers. The complete response rate in the short and medium term is very satisfactory. We did not report any complications apart from one case of empyema. Conclusion: video assisted thoracoscopy talc pleurodesis constitutes an interesting treatment for recurrence of metastatic pleural effusion.