Pleurodesis

A procedure that causes the membranes around the lung to stick together and prevents the buildup of fluid in the space between the membranes. This procedure is done in cases of severe recurrent pleural effusion (fluid around the lungs), as from cancer, to prevent the reaccumulation of fluid. In pleurodesis, an irritant (such as Bleomycin, Tetracycline, or talc powder) is instilled inside the space between the pleura (the two layers of tissue lining the lungs) in order to create inflammation which tacks the two pleura together. This procedure thereby obliterates the space between the pleura and prevents the reaccumulation of fluid.

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The creation of a fibrous adhesion between the visceral and parietal layers of the pleura, thus obliterating the pleural cavity; it is performed surgically by abrading the pleura or by inserting a sterile irritant into the pleural space, and applied as treatment in cases of malignant pleural effusion, recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax, and chylothorax. [pleuro- + G. desis, a binding together]

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pleu·rod·e·sis plu̇-'räd-ə-səs n obliteration of the pleural cavity by inducing adherence of the visceral and parietal pleural layers (as by the use of sclerosing agents or surgical abrasion) esp. to treat pleural effusion, pneumothorax, and chylothorax

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n.

the artificial production of pleurisy by chemical or mechanical means to obliterate the pleural cavity, in order to prevent recurrent, usually malignant, pleural effusions.

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pleu·rod·e·sis (pl-rodґə-sis) [pleuro- + -desis] the artificial production of adhesions between the parietal and the visceral pleura for treatment of persistent pneumothorax or severe pleural effusion; formerly done by physically irritating the pleural surface, it is now usually done with a chemical sclerosing agent.