Insertion of a central venous catheter for instillation of thrombin through a chest drain T tube for treatment of patients with malignant pleural effusion

Objective:To demonstrate the efficacy,safety and appropriate mode of inserting a pleural catheter for thrombin in treatment of malignant pleural effusion.Methods:With the guidance of ultrasound,32 patients with malignant pleural effusion were inserted implantable pleural catheter for instillation of thrombin,and the result was compared with that of 36 cases treated by conventional chest puncture drainage and 29 cases by traditional closed thoracic drainage.Results:In the ARROW central venous catheter group,the number of symptom relief (13/3),total effective rate (90.6%),pleural adhesion rate (62.5%),percentage of pleural effusion decrease after treatment (76±6.3)%,drainage volume of fluid (4 900±150) ml,treatment time (5±1.2) days and hospital stay (17±2.9) days all surpassed those of the conventional chest puncture drainage group (P<0.01).The central venous catheter group had less complication,less liquid drainage and shorter hospital stay than the traditional closed thoracic drainage group (P<0.05~P<0.01).Conclusions:The insertion of a central venous catheter for instillation of thrombin through a chest drain T tube is simple,effective and safe for treatment of patients with malignant pleural effusion,which accepted welcome by majority of the patients.