What happens during the surgery?

• Pleurodesis is a medical procedure used to attach the lung to the chest wall. This eliminates the pleural space—the gap between the lung and chest wall—so that air or fluid can no longer accumulate there.

There are two main types of pleurodesis:

• Chemical Pleurodesis: A chemical substance like talc or bleomycin is introduced into the pleural space. This irritates the pleural membranes, prompting them to stick together.

• Mechanical Pleurodesis: Through a small incision in the chest wall, the pleura is physically scraped or burned to cause inflammation and adhesion.

• In both types, the irritation leads to the lung and chest wall bonding together, sealing the space and preventing future buildup of air or fluid.

• For patients with cancer, suspected cancer, or older individuals, a sterile talcum powder (called talc) is often used. It's sprayed inside the chest cavity and left to circulate for a few hours, triggering an inflammatory response that causes the lung to adhere to the chest wall.

• After the procedure, a chest drain is typically placed to remove excess fluid or air. It usually stays in for up to five days. Once removed, a chest X-ray is performed to ensure the lung has fully expanded and successfully attached to the chest wall.