The combination of medical thoracoscopy, poudrage, and IPC did not result in shorter hospital stay but was safe and resulted in similar dyspnoea control compared with standard care. For patients with symptomatic MPE undergoing medical thoracoscopy for pleurodesis who prioritise minimising the length of hospital stay or the need for further invasive pleural procedures, the addition of an IPC alongside poudrage might help to achieve this goal.
The Lancet Respiratory Medicine published a clinical update in Critical Care on 25 Feb 2026.
The item focuses on Medical thoracoscopy with talc poudrage and indwelling pleural catheter insertion versus medical thoracoscopy with talc poudrage alone for patients with symptomatic malignant pleural effusion (TACTIC): a randomised, controlled phase 3 trial.
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