Chemical vs Mechanical Pleural Adhesiolysis for Liberation of Captive Pleura in Stacked Effusion (NCT07713329) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedPhase 2
Chemical vs Mechanical Pleural Adhesiolysis for Liberation of Captive Pleura in Stacked Effusion
Egypt36 participantsStarted 2026-03-26
Plain-language summary
The purpose of this study is to compare the clinical and radiological efficacy of chemical pleural adhesiolysis (using either intrapleural 3% hydrogen peroxide or intrapleural corticosteroids) versus mechanical pleural adhesiolysis (via medical thoracoscopy) in patients with non-malignant, complicated parapneumonic pleural effusion (CPPE).
Complicated pleural effusions often lead to the formation of fibrinous septa and adhesions, which impair drainage and prevent lung re-expansion. Standard interventions like tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and DNase can be costly and limited in resource-constrained settings, while thoracoscopic mechanical pleurolysis requires specialized expertise and equipment.
The investigators aim to evaluate whether chemical adhesiolysis using accessible, cost-effective agents (hydrogen peroxide or steroids) can offer a comparable and reliable alternative to thoracoscopic mechanical disruption of septa. Efficacy will be assessed using a novel composite clinical and radiological efficiency score evaluated seven days post-procedure.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 62 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion criteria
. Patient age between 18 and 62 years inclusive.
. Presence of a unilateral complicated parapneumonic pleural effusion (CPPE) requiring pleurolytic intervention.
. Imaging-confirmed pleural loculation on chest ultrasonography or computed tomography (CT).
. Pleural fluid biochemical or microbiological indicators of complicated effusion, defined by at least one of the following: pleural fluid pH \< 7.2, glucose \< 60 mg/dL, and/or a positive Gram stain or culture.
Exclusion criteria
. Confirmed malignant pleural effusion or features highly suggestive of malignancy (e.g., pleural nodularity, circumferential pleural thickening \> 10 mm, mediastinal pleural involvement, or associated pulmonary masses) not yet fully evaluated.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Composite Radiological Efficiency Score
Timeframe: 7 days post-intervention
Trial details
NCT IDNCT07713329
SponsorDelta University for Science and Technology