Effect Of Fluid Biochemistry On Bleomycin Pleuredesia In Non-Mesothelioma Malign Pleural Effusions

Aim: Malignant pleural effusions (MPE) often signalterminal-stage malignancy, with limited survival andquality of life prospects. This study aimed to evaluatewhether fluid biochemistry influences recurrence afterbleomycin pleurodesis in patients diagnosed with MPEthrough VATS pleural biopsy and fluid cytology.Material and Method: A total of 23 patients diagnosedwith MPE due to primary lung carcinoma or pleuralmetastasis, and treated with bleomycin pleurodesisat our institution, were included. All diagnoses wereconfirmed via VATS pleural biopsy.Results: The mean age of patients with recurrence was52.5 years. Their mean pleural fluid values were: LDH569.75 U/L, pH 7.5, protein 4.53 g/dL, glucose 81 mg/dL, and albumin 3.13 g/dL. The average drainage timewas 10.5 days. Recurrence occurred in 20% of men and12.5% of women, with a 20% recurrence rate on the rightside and 12.5% on the left. Recurrence in pulmonaryadenocarcinoma patients was 33.3%, while the overallrecurrence after bleomycin pleurodesis was 17.4%.General anesthesia had a higher recurrence rate (25%)compared to local anesthesia (9.1%).Conclusion: Recurrent pleural effusion in MPE presentsa clinical challenge. VATS is a crucial tool in diagnosingand managing MPE. Bleomycin is readily available forpleurodesis in our country, but the treatment should bepersonalized to balance quality of life and hospitalizationtime. International guidelines offer valuable insights butneed to be adapted to individual cases.