Clinical Trial: Rigid vs Semirigid Thoracoscopy in Exudative Pleural Effusions

Study Status: Recruiting
Recruit Status: Recruiting
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: Rigid 'Mini-thoracoscopy' vs Semirigid Thoracoscopy in Undiagnosed Exudative Pleural Effusions : A Randomized Controlled Trial

Brief Summary:

Undiagnosed pleural effusion is a diagnostic dilemma especially in exudative pleural effusions (EPE). 20-40 % are unable to be attributed to a specific diagnosis, even after thoracentesis and closed pleural biopsy. Thoracoscopy has been demonstrated to increase the diagnostic yield in undiagnosed EPE. The diagnostic yield of thoracoscopy in malignant and TB pleural effusion ranges from 91% to 94% and 93% to 100%, respectively.

Rigid thoracoscopy has traditionally been the modality of choice. The recently introduced semirigid thoracoscope provides ease of handling like a flexible bronchoscope. However, there are concerns about the diagnostic yield of semi-rigid thoracoscopy when compared with rigid thoracoscopy. According to the available literature, the yield of semirigid and rigid thoracoscopy is almost similar if adequate pleural biopsy is obtained. However there are concerns that with semi-rigid thoracoscope, there might be greater incidence of inability to obtain adequate pleural biopsy. On the other hand, the use of conventional rigid thoracoscope may be associated with greater procedure related pain.Mini-Thoracoscopy is a newer rigid thoracoscopy instrument which is smaller in diameter (5.5 mm) and may allow pleural biopsy with a smaller incision. There is scant literature on its utility. The investigators hereby propose to undertake a randomized comparison of rigid 'mini thoracoscope' vs semi rigid tharacoscope in undiagnosed pleural effusions.


Detailed Summary:

Patients meeting the inclusion criteria and giving prior consent for the study shall be randomised. The randomization sequence will be computer generated with variable block size and the assignments will be placed in opaque sealed envelopes. All patients will undergo hemogram, liver and renal function tests, coagulation profile, an electrocardiogram and Computed tomography (CT) of the chest before entering the study. Chest ultrasound will be performed in all patients to evaluate the rib spaces, amount of pleural fluid and for selection of the entry point.

Instruments The semi-rigid thoracoscope to be used is the autoclavable Olympus LTF-160 (Olympus, Tokyo, Japan) thoracoscope with 2.8 mm inner channel diameter and 7 mm outer diameter. The forceps is flexible forceps with alligator jaw with spike cusps, 2.8 mm of outer diameter. The rigid mini thoracoscope is the Richard Wolf 5.5 mm operating endoscope with working channel.

Thoracoscopy technique Thoracoscopy will be performed in the interventional pulmonology lab. Patients shall be fasting for solids for 8 hours and for liquids 6 hours. Patients shall be having continuous monitoring of blood pressure, pulse rate and oxygen saturation.

Topical anaesthesia will be achieved by infiltrating 2% lidocaine locally at the incision site. Procedure shall be performed under conscious sedation and analgesia using combination of midazolam and intravenous fentanyl. An incision shall be made at the site of maximum fluid thickness as assessed by pre-procedural USG chest, with the patient in lateral decubitus position and involved side upward. After incision, the appropiate sized trocar shall be placed through the skin into the pleural space. The thoracoscope shall be inserted through the trocar. The pleural surfaces shall then be thorough
Sponsor: All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi

Current Primary Outcome: Diagnostic Yield [ Time Frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 year ]

Proportion of diagnostic biopsies in the two arms


Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

Current Secondary Outcome:

  • Sedation dose [ Time Frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 year ]
    Comparison of sedative and analgesic agent doses between the two groups
  • Image quality [ Time Frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 year ]
    Operator rated image quality of pleural visualization (VAS)
  • Complications [ Time Frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 year ]
    Complications related to the procedure
  • Alternate equipment [ Time Frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 year ]
    Requirement of conversion to alternate equipment for pleural biopsy
  • Procedural pain [ Time Frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 year ]
    Patient rated procedural pain on Facies pain rating scale


Original Secondary Outcome: Same as current

Information By: All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi

Dates:
Date Received: May 1, 2016
Date Started: June 2016
Date Completion: September 2017
Last Updated: August 1, 2016
Last Verified: July 2016