Aim: To perform a non-blinded randomized control study to compare the efficacy of ABPP vs doxycycline pleurodesis in the closure of air leaks in SSP patients.
Methods: This study was a non-blinded randomized control study done in 38 SSP patients with PAL. They were randomized into the doxycycline arm and ABPP arm. Post pleurodesis air leak was assessed every 12 hours for cessation. Success was considered when there was a complete cessation of air leaks. Post-procedural complications were noted and patients were followed up for 28 days to look for recurrence.
Results: The median time for closure was 24 hours [interquartile range (12.24)] for ABPP and 36 hours [interquartile range (24.72)] for doxycycline pleurodesis. The success rate of ABPP vs doxycycline pleurodesis is 94.7% vs 84.2% (p=0.6). Post-procedure pain was more in the doxycycline group (15% vs 73%) (p<0.01). On the visual analog scale, ABPP had lesser pain as compared to doxycycline pleurodesis (average visual analog scale value of 2 vs scale of 7). The recurrence rate was equal in both groups (5%). Though ABPP and doxycycline have similar success rates, ABPP has an early closure of air leaks and greater patient tolerability.
Conclusion: ABPP can be tried as an alternative to doxycycline pleurodesis in SSP patients with persistent air leaks.