Short-term outcomes of nonintubated and intubated video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in management of malignant pleural effusion

BackgroundMalignant pleural effusion is characterized by the presence of malignant cells in the pleural fluid. Malignant cells from pleural lavage performed in patients without a coexistent pleural effusion have been identified as an indicator of micrometastatic disease and are associated with a higher recurrence rate and poorer survival. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the short-term postoperative outcomes with patients who underwent awake and intubated video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in the management of recurrent malignant pleural effusion. We hypothesized that nonintubated VATS is as safe and effective as intubated VATS for MPE management.MethodsA case series of 315 consecutive patients from January 2021 to November 2023 with malignant pleural effusion. The patients were randomized into two groups as nonintubated video-assisted thoracoscopic Pleurodesis with sedoanalgesia (nonintubated as group A) and video-assisted thoracoscopic pleurodesis with general anesthesia (intubated as group B).ResultsThe study included 315 patients who underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic pleurodesis either intubated or not. The mean average age was noted to be 54.58 ± 7.93. There were 178 cases of male patients (65.5%). Visual analogue score showed a significant difference after procedure 4 h without any difference after 24 h. There was a nonsignificant difference between both groups according to changes in dyspnea score and grades of chest X-ray findings of pleural effusion.ConclusionsNonintubated VATS is safe in patients, especially those with comorbidity who couldn't tolerate general anesthesia. It has also similar reliability compared to VATS performed under general anesthesia.