Pleurodesis

Pleurodesis is the artificial obliteration of the pleural space. It is done to prevent recurrenceof pneumothoraxor pleural effusion. It can be done chemically or surgically.

Chemicals such as talc, bleomycinor tetracyclinecan be introduced into the pleural space through a chest drain. Chemical pleurodesis is a painful procedure, so patients are usually premedicatedwith a sedative. A local anestheticis also instilled into the pleural space.

Surgical pleurodesis is performed via thoracotomyor thoracoscopy.

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It uses material from the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleurodesis Wikipedia article Pleurodesis.