Researchers Find Less Invasive Treatment for Pleural Mesothelioma Shortens Hospital Stays, Reduces Complications, Baron and Budd Reports
DALLAS (PRWEB) July 10, 2014 -- Researchers in the United Kingdom have found that a procedure that uses talc to help seal the lining of the lungs in patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma is superior to a video-assisted surgical procedure in reducing hospital stays and the occurrence of complications, the mesothelioma law firm of Baron and Budd reports. The results of the research were published in the June 14 issue of The Lancet, a British medical journal. (http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(14)60418-9/abstract)
A method of treatment known as Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Partial Pleurectomy (VATPP) is used in some instances in order to reduce the amount of fluid buildup that takes place between the layers of lung lining in pleural mesothelioma patients. However, the researchers showed that a different procedure, one known as talc pleurodesis, can be significantly more effective. The talc pleurodesis procedure involves draining lung lining of fluid and then using talc to seal the pleural layers.
The team studied 175 pleural mesothelioma patients between 2003 and 2012 who had a buildup of fluid (also known as pleural effusions) in the lungs. Of those patients, 88 had the talc pleurodesis procedure and 87 had the VATPP procedure performed. According to the study, 24 of the VATPP patients suffered surgical complications, while complications occurred in only 10 of those patients who had the talc pleurodesis procedure performed. In addition, the study showed that VATPP patients had more air leaks in their lungs and also suffered other respiratory complications.
The research also showed that VATPP patients stayed in the hospital two times longer than talc pleurodesis patients; seven days versus three days. The survival rate of those treated with the two procedures was relatively negligible, however; 52 percent of VATPP patients survived one year after the procedure while 57 of the talc pleurodesis patients had survived.
“This study is significant in the fact that it could lead to more widespread acceptance of the talc pleurodesis method, which could make pleural mesothelioma patients significantly more comfortable while undergoing treatment,” said Russell Budd, managing director of mesothelioma law firm Baron and Budd. “Taking the findings into account, as well as considering the fact that talc pleurodesis is less expensive than VATPP, it appears that talc pleurodesis is the preferable option.”
There is a chance that you or a loved one who suffers from mesothelioma may be able to take legal action against those parties that caused the exposure to asbestos that led to the development of the disease. If you would like to learn more, call the mesothelioma law firm of Baron and Budd at 1-866-855-1229 or visit our website at http://www.fightmesothelioma.com.
Amanda Billo, Baron & Budd, http://baronandbudd.com, +1 (214) 991-1051, [email protected]
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