This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Personal Folders Download to citation manager Author home page(s): Ian Hunt Tom Treasure Permission Requests Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Hunt, I. Articles by Treasure, T. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Hunt, I. Articles by Treasure, T.

Using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) following pleurodesis

^a Department of Thoracic Surgery, Guy's Hospital, St Thomas Street, London, UK
^b Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Brompton, Sydney Street, London, UK
^c Library Services Manager, Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford, Surrey, UK

*Corresponding author. Tel./fax: +44 20 7188 7188.

E-mail address: ianjhunt{at}blueyonder.co.uk (I. Hunt).

A best evidence topic in cardiothoracic surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was whether non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) decrease the effect of pleurodesis. Only 17 papers were identified using the search below. Three papers presented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The author, journal, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results, and study weaknesses of the papers are tabulated. We conclude that despite a limited number and type of study, there is some histopathological evidence to support the concern that NSAIDs may reduce effectiveness of pleurodesis. Until further clinical studies with appropriate outcome measures are available, NSAIDs following pleurodesis should be used with caution and probably avoided routinely.

Key Words: Evidence-based medicine; Thoracic surgery; Pleural disease; Pleurodesis; NSAIDs