A review of a pleural service

J R Coll Physicians Edinb. 2016 Mar;46(1):26-31. doi: 10.4997/JRCPE.2016.108.

Abstract

This paper reviews the organisation and outcomes of a pleural service, specifically geared towards the management of malignant pleural effusions, in a district general hospital in the north east of England. We summarise the evidence behind local anaesthetic thoracoscopy and indwelling pleural catheters. We then summarise the review of our service, including a discussion around complications.

Keywords: effusion; indwelling catheters; pleural; thoracoscopy.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Catheters, Indwelling / statistics & numerical data
  • Disease Management
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interpleural Analgesia* / instrumentation
  • Interpleural Analgesia* / methods
  • Male
  • Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care
  • Pleural Cavity / diagnostic imaging
  • Pleural Cavity / pathology
  • Pleural Effusion, Malignant* / diagnosis
  • Pleural Effusion, Malignant* / epidemiology
  • Pleural Effusion, Malignant* / etiology
  • Pleural Effusion, Malignant* / therapy
  • Thoracoscopy* / adverse effects
  • Thoracoscopy* / methods
  • United Kingdom / epidemiology