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Intrapleural tetracycline in malignant pleural effusions: A randomized study
Author(s) -
Zaloznik Arlene J.,
Oswald Stephen G.,
Langin Michael
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(19830215)51:4<752::aid-cncr2820510434>3.0.co;2-7
Subject(s) - medicine , tetracycline , effusion , malignant pleural effusion , surgery , pleural effusion , randomized controlled trial , chest tube , gastroenterology , antibiotics , pneumothorax , microbiology and biotechnology , biology
Intrapleural instillation of tetracycline (TCN) has been shown to be effective in preventing the recurrence of malignant pleural effusions. Although the precise mechanism of action is unknown, it has been postulated that the pH of the TCN solution may be an important factor. Thirty patients with malignant pleural effusions were randomized in a double‐blind trial to receive intrapleural administration of either 500 mg of tetracycline in solution (pH = 2.8) or a solution of similar pH and appearance. All patients had chest tube drainage of their effusion. There were 24/30 patients evaluable. There were 9/13 patients in the TCN group and 1/9 patients in the control group who had no reaccumulation of fluid ( P < 0.05). These results would suggest that the efficacy of TCN as a sclerosing agent is not related to its acidic pH and that intrapleural TCN is more effective than chest tube drainage alone for control of malignant effusions.