Background: Local anaesthetic thoracoscopy (LAT) is an important procedure in the management pathway of patients with pleural effusions, particularly those with suspected malignancy. The last survey evaluating the use and development of LAT services in the UK was conducted over a decade ago. Objectives: We performed a survey of LAT practices in the UK to explore procedural preferences and variations in practice. Methods: The online survey was cascaded via regional pleural specialists to sites performing LAT. One response per site was accepted. Results: Thirty-seven responses were received from England, Scotland and Wales. Most centres have regular access to a dedicated list and a designated area to perform LAT. 97% of the centres have at least 2 trained thoracoscopists. Some variation in practice is seen with patient preparation pre-procedure and medication use. Other procedures, such as insertion of indwelling pleural catheters and adhesiolysis, are not uncommon to be undertaken at the time of LAT. Conclusions: Overall, the results are comparable, excepting some minor variations in patient preparation pre-procedure. We hope that this survey functions as an information resource for centres developing a LAT service or for those considering expansion.

Keywords:
Pleural effusions, Thoracoscopy, Pleuroscopy
1.
Psallidas I, Corcoran JP, Fallon J, Bintcliffe O, Sivasothy P, Maskell N, et al: Provision of day-case local anesthetic thoracoscopy: a multicenter review of practice. Chest 2017; 151: 511–512.
2.
Shojaee S, Lee HJ: Thoracoscopy: medical versus surgical – in the management of pleural diseases. J Thorac Dis 2015; 7(suppl 4):S339–S351.
3.
Wang XJ, Yang Y, Wang Z, Xu LL, Wu YB, Zhang J, et al: Efficacy and safety of diagnostic thoracoscopy in undiagnosed pleural effusions. Respiration 2015; 90: 251–255.
4.
Rahman NM, Ali NJ, Brown G, Chapman SJ, Davies RJ, Downer NJ, et al: Local anaesthetic thoracoscopy: British Thoracic Society Pleural Disease Guideline 2010. Thorax 2010; 65(suppl 2):ii54–ii60.
5.
Burrows NJ, Ali NJ, Cox GM: The use and development of medical thoracoscopy in the United Kingdom over the past 5 years. Respir Med 2006; 100: 1234–1238.
6.
Hallifax RJ, Corcoran JP, Psallidas I, Rahman NM: Medical thoracoscopy: survey of current practice – How successful are medical thoracoscopists at predicting malignancy? Respirology 2016; 21: 958–960.
7.
Shaw JA, Koegelenberg CFN: Debugging: is routine antimicrobial prophylaxis indicated in medical thoracoscopy? Respiration 2017; 94: 176–177.
© 2018 S. Karger AG, Basel
2018
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.