Clinical Research Directory

Stop Air Leak by Talc or Autologous Blood Patch Therapy

Background: A pilot study to assess the feasibility of a randomisation trial protocol comparing intrapleural talc pleurodesis versus autologous blood patch therapy (ABPT) in patients with secondary spontaneous pneumothorax (SSP) complicated by persistent air leak (PAL). The proposed randomised protocol comparing talc pleurodesis and ABPT will be feasible and acceptable. Methods: A multi-centre, two-arm, open-label, randomised controlled feasibility study which includes subjects with SSP and PAL persisting for 5 days eligible for intrapleural therapy, with follow-ups till 3 months after hospital discharge. Recruited subjects will be randomised in 1:1 ratio to receive one dose of talc pleurodesis or ABPT. Discussion: The main outcome is the feasibility of the trial protocol, based on the percentage of eligible patients enrolled, retained to discharge, and completing 3 months of follow-up. Other important outcomes include complete cessation of air leak and successful chest drain removal within 3 days after the intervention, absolute and percentage changes in digitally measured air leak rates, duration of chest drainage, recurrence of ipsilateral pneumothorax, need for additional pleural interventions, safety outcomes such as drain blockage and pleural infection. Feasibility outcomes will be reported as descriptive data. Comparison of outcomes between the two treatment groups will be analysed on an intention-to-treat basis. Safety outcomes will be reported descriptively for each group. The reported estimates of recruitment rates, adherence, follow-up completeness, and variability and event rates for key clinical outcomes will be used, to inform sample size calculations for future studies incorporating the current study design.

Evaluating the Use of an App in Pleural Disease: Algorithm-supported Clinical Decision Making Versus Usual Care

Pleural disease is a group of conditions that affect the membrane around the lungs. These conditions-fluid around the lungs, infections, cancer, and collapsed lung-are common and can cause serious illness. They often lead to long hospital stays, emergency admissions, and reduced quality of life. In Denmark and worldwide, the number of patients with pleural disease is rising, and the treatment is costly for the healthcare system. How long patients stay in the hospital depends on the type of pleural disease. Some stay less than a week, while others remain for several weeks, especially if complications occur. Research shows that early diagnosis and treatment based on clinical guidelines can shorten hospital stays and improve outcomes. In the UK, many hospitals have created dedicated pleural clinics run by specialists. These clinics help ensure that patients receive fast, consistent, and evidence based care, and they have reduced the number of days patients spend in hospital. In Denmark, however, such clinics are rare. A recent national survey showed that many Danish hospitals do not follow current pleural disease guidelines, and many lack clear pathways for diagnosing and treating these patients. As a result, patients may receive suboptimal care. This project aims to close that gap. The goal is to develop an easy to use, guideline based decision tool that supports doctors in emergency, medical, and surgical departments. The tool will guide clinicians from the moment a patient arrives until discharge, helping them choose the right tests and treatments at the right time. By making expert knowledge accessible to non specialists, the project hopes to improve patient care, reduce complications, and shorten hospital stays. Ultimately, the project seeks to ensure that all patients with pleural disease in Denmark receive fast, safe, and evidence based treatment-no matter where they are admitted.

Comparison of Talc Slurry Versus Talc Insufflation: A Study on Effectiveness, Safety, and Hospital Outcomes in Pleurodesis

Pleural effusion is characterized by the accumulation of fluid in the pleural space, which typically contains about 10-20 mL of pleural fluid that is crucial for the movement of the lungs against the chest wall. This fluid closely resembles plasma but has a lower protein concentration, usually less than 1.5 gm/dL. It primarily originates from pleural capillaries and the interstitial spaces of the lung, and is reabsorbed through the lymphatic vessels in the parietal pleura, either via small openings known as stomas or through a process called transcytosis (1, 2). When the balance between fluid production and reabsorption is disrupted-often due to various pathogenic mechanisms-it can lead to pleural effusion. In such cases, effective management is essential. This study aims to conduct a thorough comparison of the two talc administration methods-TS and TI-using sterilized, large-particle, asbestos-free talc powder. By examining key outcome measures such as pleurodesis success rates, procedural morbidity, and length of hospital stay, the goal is to provide clinicians with evidence-based guidance to facilitate informed decision-making in the management of pleural effusions.

Chest Drain Insertion Assisted by Virtual Reality

Clinical study aiming to investigate the potential benefit of the use of virtual reality helmet as a distractor during chest drain insertion to alleviate patients\' pain and anxiety