Chemical and mechanical Pleurodesis
Home / Dr. Kushal Chidgupkar
Interventional Pulmonology
- Fiberoptic & Rigid Bronchoscopy
- Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS) Guided FNAB & Staging
- Medical Thoracoscopy (Pleuroscopy)
- Endobronchial Stenting & Other Endobronchial Interventions
- Indwelling Pleural Catheter
- Tube Thoracostomy
- Intra-Pleural Fibrinolytic Therapy (IPFT)
- Chemical and Mechanical Pleurodesis
- Thoracentesis
- Trans Thoracic Biopsy (CT scan Guided Or USG Guided)
Chemical and mechanical Pleurodesis
Ah, Pleurodesis, the process of irritating the pleural space to create adhesion between the layers of the pleura. Chemical and mechanical methods are two approaches to achieve this.
Chemical pleurodesis involves introducing a chemical irritant into the pleural space. Common agents include talc, tetracycline, or bleomycin. These substances cause inflammation, leading the pleural layers to stick together and prevent the accumulation of fluid.
On the other hand, mechanical pleurodesis involves physically abrading the pleural surfaces to induce scarring. This can be done through procedures like thoracoscopy or thoracotomy, where the surgeon manually roughens the pleura.
Both methods aim to treat conditions like recurrent pleural effusions or pneumothorax by preventing the reaccumulation of fluid or air. The choice between chemical and mechanical pleurodesis depends on factors like the patient’s overall health, the underlying cause, and the preferences of the medical team.