Table 3:
[4,16-18]
|
Indications |
Advantage |
Contraindications |
Complications |
1 |
Advanced, unresectable
pleural malignancy |
Cost - effective, well tolerated |
Loculations in pleural space |
Catheter occlusion, rupture, dislocation |
2 |
Chest x-ray: trapped lung |
Patient controlled |
Previously failed attempt |
Infection, empyema, cellulitis |
3 |
Relief of dyspnea and
symptoms with thoracentesis |
Minimally invasive, relief of dyspnea |
Limited life expectancy |
Bleeding |
4 |
Predicted life expectancy > 3mo |
User-friendly, safe |
Inability to care for drain |
Tumor seeding/mets |
5 |
|
Outpatient procedure |
Incomplete evacuation of effusion |
Pain, pneumothorax |