DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2018.v06i10.055

Pages: 3959-3960

Pleural effusion is a very common cause of dyspnoea in many patients due to chest pain and restricted respiratory mechanics. Irrespective of underlying etiology, patients get significant relief after therapeutic thoracentesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of unilateral moderate pleural effusion on PFT and to establish objective evidence for symptomatic improvement after thoracentesis. This was a prospective and cross-sectional study comprising 12 patients, aged above 13 years. Stable Patients with unilateral moderate pleural effusion of included while those with Severe Respiratory distress, Hemoptysis, Cardiovascular disease and Recent history of major surgery were excluded. Spirometry was performed on 12 patients before and after thoracentesis. In all 12 patients mean FVC improved from 0.93 Lit (33% Predicted) to 2.45 Lit (59 % Predicted) and mean FEV1 improved from 0.53 Lit/Sec (24% predicted ) to 1.76 Lit/Sec. while pleural effusion causes dyspnoea by chest pain and restricted respiratory mechanics, thoracentesis helps in improving lung compliance, FVC FEV1 as evident by subsequent objective measurement.