Various Treatment Modalities in Hepatic Hydrothorax: What Is Safe and Effective?

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Hepatic hydrothorax is a complication of decompensated liver cirrhosis that is difficult and complex to manage. Data concerning the optimal treatment method, other than liver transplantation, are limited. This study aimed to compare the clinical features and outcomes of patients treated with various modalities, while focusing on surgical management and pigtail drainage.

Materials and methods

Forty-one patients diagnosed with refractory hepatic hydrothorax between January 2013 and December 2017 were enrolled.

Results

The mean Child-Turcotte-Pugh and model for end stage liver disease scores of the enrolled patients were 10.1 and 19.7, respectively. The patients underwent four modalities: serial thoracentesis (n=11, 26.8%), pigtail drainage (n=16, 39.0%), surgery

SUBMITTER: Yoon JH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6753336 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature