A randomized comparison of indwelling pleural catheter and doxycycline pleurodesis in the management of malignant pleural effusions

Efficacy of drainage of pleural effusion using small bore pleural catheter and conventional thoracostomy using large bore chest tube: a comparative study

“…The results of the randomized investigational trial leading to approval of the Pleurx by the FDA were reported by Putnam Jr et al 9 Two-thirds of 144 patients received the Pleurx and one-third was treated with conventional doxycycline sclerotherapy through a chest tube. Equivalent safety and efficacy were shown and there was no difference in median survival.…”

The Role of Thoracic Surgery in Palliative Care: A Review

“…Enthusiasm for the PleurX catheter led to a randomized trial conducted by Putnam et al [23] This multi institutional study randomized 144 patients to an indwelling PleurX catheter versus doxycycline pleurodesis. The authors hypothesized that the PleurX catheter would decrease hospital stay and result in an improved quality of life as compared to traditional chemical pleurodesis.…”

Clinical Profile of Patients with Malignant Pleural Effusion

“…In patients with cancer, only 50 to 60% of all effusions are positive on first thoracocentesis [5,6] . In approximately one-fourth of the patients with cancer and a recurrent pleural effusion, malignant cells may not be found on examination [6] .…”

“…In approximately one-fourth of the patients with cancer and a recurrent pleural effusion, malignant cells may not be found on examination [6] . Pleural biopsy, either blind or under ultrasonography (USG) or computed tomography (CT) guidance can help in a few patients.…”