Management of malignant recurrent pleural effusion

Recurrent malignant pleural effusion (MRPE) requires individualized management to palliate symptoms. Chemical pleurodesis is one of the most commonly used methods. Therefore, the motivation to perform this study arose, with the aim of evaluating the clinical-radiological response of patients after the use of two symphysiological agents: Povidone iodine and bleomycin. The sample consisted of 30 patients admitted to the Hospital Neumológico Benéfico Jurídico, from January 2014 to January 2016. A descriptive-prospective study was performed, drug utilization, creating two groups randomly. After performing the evacuating thoracocentesis, the symphyseal substance was applied for each group, obtaining the following results: male sex and ages 60-69 years predominated. The left hemithorax was the most affected, with a large effusion and a bloody appearance of the pleural fluid. There was a clinical-radiological improvement of the patients after being treated with pleurodesis. Of the substances used, bleomycin was the one with the best response and the least adverse reactions.