Abstract: Objective:To investigate the effect of intrapleural injection of urokinase in treatment of tuberculous pleural effusion.Methods:Ninety-six cases of exudative tuberculous pleurisy were randomly divided into treatment group and control group.The cases in treatment group were treated with 100 000 IU urokinase (diluted by 20 ml normal saline) after effusion drainage,while the cases in control group were given normal saline only.The other therapies in both groups were the same.Results:In the treatment group,the time of pleural effusion absorption,the frequency of stetho-prick,the incidence of pleural adhesion,and the mean thickness of pleura all decreased significantly as compared with those of the control group (P<0.01).The lung function indexes FEV1% and FEV_1.0/FVC% in the treatment group were significantly superior to those of the control group (P<0.01).The changes of thrombin time,prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time after administration had no significant difference in the treatment group.Conclusions:The therapy of thoracic injection of urokinase can promote the absorption of pleural effussion,lessen the pachynsis pleurae and adhesion,and improve the lung function.