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