Effect of Chest Tube Size on Pleurodesis Efficacy in Malignant Pleural Effusion: a Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background: Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) develops in approximately 50% of all patients with metastatic cancer. The efficacy of small-vs. large-bore chest tube for pleurodesis in patients with MPE is still not clear. Methods: We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of chest tube size in the management of MPE. A systematic search of Medline (Ovid) and Embase (from 1980 to March 2016) was performed. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) evaluating the effect of small (<= 14 French) vs. large (> 14 French) chest tube size on successful pleurodesis for patients with MPE. Of 708 potentially relevant publications, four matched the selection criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. Results: Overall relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) was pooled using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed using Q statistic (significant at P<0.1). In the 231 patients, the success proportion of pleurodesis as well as complication proportion were comparable between large and small chest tube groups with a pooled RR of 0.90 (95% CI, 0.77-1.05; P=0.19; I-2 = 17.4%) and 0.95 (95% CI, 0.42-2.15; P=0.90; I-2 = 0.9%) respectively. Successful pleurodesis and complication proportion for small vs. large chest tubes were 73.8% vs. 82.0% and 13.0% vs. 10.5%, respectively. Conclusions: This meta-analysis suggests that small and large chest tubes are both effective treatment for MPE with similar successful pleurodesis and complication proportion. Further RCTs are needed to more clearly determine which size tube is superior.