Abstract: Objective To evaluate the value of medical thoracoscope combined with urokinase treatment on loculated pleural effusion. Methods Fifty-eight patients with loculated pleural effusion were recruited and divided into the treatment group(n=27)and the control group(n=31). The treatment group was treated with medical thoracoscope and urokinase(1×10⁵ U, twice a week)while the control group was given routine drainage. The total drainage volume, pleural thickness, protein content of pleural effusion, duration of pleural effusion, incidence of complication and therapeutic effect were compared. Results The total drainage volume in the treatment group was higher than that in the control group［(1141.51±411.66)vs(751.93±605.53)mL, P<0.05］; duration of the pleural effusion, pleural thickness and protein content of pleural effusion in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group［(6.18 ±1.88)vs(7.54±2.28)days,(2.09±0.50)vs(2.90±0.57)mm,(26.45 ±12.09)vs(34.33±10.99)g, all P<0.05］; medical effective rate in treatment group was higher than that in the control group(96.3% vs 77.4%, P<0.001). The incidence of complications in the two groups had no significant difference(P>0.05). Conclusion The value of the medical thoracoscopy combined with urokinase treatment on loculated pleural effusion is significant. The pleural effusion is drained thoroughly and rapidly. This method can increase the duration of the pleural effusion, relieve pleural thickening, and cause no obvious increase in complications.

Key words: Urokinase, Thoracoscope, Loculated pleural effusion