Pleurodesis is considered when the lung does not fully expand after drainage.

Pleurodesis is considered when the lung does not fully expand after drainage.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Only in malignant pleural effusions
• D. Not used in pleural effusions

Answer: (B)

Pleurodesis works best when the lung can fully re-expand after drainage so the visceral and parietal pleura are in contact and can fuse together a stable pleural space. If the lung does not re-expand (a trapped or non-expandable lung), there isn’t adequate contact between pleural surfaces, so the sclerosing agent can’t create a durable adhesion. In that situation, pleurodesis is unlikely to prevent recurrence and other management, like ongoing drainage or indwelling pleural catheters, is typically pursued for symptom relief. Therefore, the statement is false: pleurodesis is considered when the lung re-expands, not when it does not.

Pleurodesis works best when the lung can fully re-expand after drainage so the visceral and parietal pleura are in contact and can fuse together a stable pleural space. If the lung does not re-expand (a trapped or non-expandable lung), there isn’t adequate contact between pleural surfaces, so the sclerosing agent can’t create a durable adhesion. In that situation, pleurodesis is unlikely to prevent recurrence and other management, like ongoing drainage or indwelling pleural catheters, is typically pursued for symptom relief. Therefore, the statement is false: pleurodesis is considered when the lung re-expands, not when it does not.