Efficacy and cost of video-assisted thoracoscopic partial pleurectomy versus talc pleurodesis in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MesoVATS): an open-label, randomised, controlled trial

This randomized controlled trial compared VATS partial pleurectomy (VAT-PP) to talc pleurodesis in patients with malignant mesothelioma and a pleural effusion, evaluating overall survival.  VAT-PP was associated with significantly greater surgical complications, a higher rate of respiratory complications and prolonged air leak, and a significantly longer median hospital length of stay.  Survival at 1 year was similar to the talc pleurodesis group (52% vs 57%).  VAT-PP is not recommended for improving survival in patients with malignant mesothelioma and a pleural effusion.