Pleurodesis
Pleurodesis is a procedure that sticks your lung to your chest wall.
What is a pleurodesis?
Why do I need a pleurodesis?
What are the risks of having a pleurodesis?
How do I prepare for a pleurodesis?
What happens during a pleurodesis?
What happens after a pleurodesis?
What is a pleurodesis?
Pleurodesis is a procedure that sticks your lung to your chest wall. This procedure removes the space between your lung and your chest wall (pleural space) so that fluid or air no longer builds up between the layers.
Why do I need a pleurodesis?
You may need a pleurodesis if you’ve had a collapsed lung (pneumothorax) or a buildup of excess fluid around your lungs (pleural effusion).
What are the risks of having a pleurodesis?
In general, a pleurodesis is a well tolerated and effective procedure. However, like all medical procedures, pleurodesis does have some risks, including:
- Chest “tightness” – this is usually short term and occurs due to inflammation of the lungs
- Fever – you may experience fevers for 1-2 days after the procedure which can be controlled with paracetamol
- Infection – as a result of the initial chest drain being inserted
- Pain – you will be given painkillers before and after the procedure if you feel pain.
In a small percentage of people, the procedure will not work and further treatment is needed.
How do I prepare for a pleurodesis?
You may need to stop taking certain medicines a week or more before the procedure. Your doctor can give you more information.
What happens during a pleurodesis?
A pleurodesis is usually performed under general anaesthesia. The procedure requires the surgeon to operate inside the chest cavity and temporarily deflate your lung.
Before the procedure:
- You’ll be given medicine to prevent pain and help you relax
- The surgical team will explain the operation to you so you can sign a consent form.
During the procedure:
- You’ll be given a general anaesthetic Your doctor will clean the area
- Your doctor will make a small cut, around 2cm, and insert a small telescope into the chest cavity
- Fluid will be removed from the chest cavity
- The pleurodesis procedure will be performed using either a sterile powder (talc) or by gently scraping the lining of the chest cavity
- A narrow tube, called a chest drain, will be inserted at the end of the procedure
- You will be given a local anaesthetic to numb any pain and will recover in hospital for around 3-5 days, or until the air or fluid leak settles.
The operation takes about 1.5 hours.
The chest drain will remain in place for around 3-5 days. Your doctor will remove the chest drain and take an X-ray to confirm the lung has re-expanded. If all is well, you can go home.
Some people are not able to have a general anaesthetic. These people may be able to have a smaller operation called a “medical pleurodesis”. This procedure is usually performed on people who have fluid in their chest cavity from cancer.
Sterile powder is injected down the already inserted chest drain and then clamped. The solution circulates around the inside of the chest for a few hours before being released out of the drain. The success rate of this procedure is lower than the surgical procedure.
What happens after a pleurodesis?
You will stay in hospital until your lung has stuck to your chest wall. During this time, you’ll have X-rays to check your progress.
When you doctor confirms, your chest drain can be removed and the incision will be closed with a stitch. The stitch will remain in place for 7-10 days. Your local GP or practice nurse can remove the stitch.
It’s important to keep your wound clean and dry. Avoid using any creams, ointments or powders on the incision site.
You may notice some drainage from the wound for a day or two. Keep a bandage over it until it stops draining.
Talk to your doctor about when it’s safe for you to drive again, return to work, and commence normal activities.