Treatment of Malignant Pleural Effusion With Central Venous Catheter

Objective To explore the value of implanting a central venous catheter in pleural cavity for treating malignant pleural effusion. Methods 13 patients with malignant pleural effusion were implanted a central venous catheter in their pleural cavity. After the fluid was drawn out entirely intermittently, the drug was infused into the cavity. The clinical data of these patients were analyzed retrospectively. Results The central venous catheters were implanted in pleural cavity successfully in 13 patients. After treatment, 12 cases were complete remission. Conclusions Implanting a central venous catheter was a safe and effective method for malignant pleural effusion. The technique was worthy to be widely used.