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Malignant pleural effusions often are managed by either talc pleurodesis or placing an indwelling pleural catheter. Both methods provide symptom relief, but which approach should be preferred?
In this international trial, researchers randomized 146 patients (mean age, 71) with malignant pleural effusions to talc pleurodesis or catheter placement. Patients in the catheter group spent significantly less time in the hospital (median, 10 days vs. 12 days); experienced significantly fewer hospital days related to pleural fluid management (median, 1 days vs. 4 days), and required fewer pleural fluid drainage procedures (3 vs. 16) compared with patients who received talc pleurodesis. Breathlessness scores, quality-of-life measures, and 12-month mor…