MesoTRAP: A Study Comparing Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Partial Pleurectomy/Decortication With Indwelling Pleural Catheter in Patients With Trapped Lung Due to Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma.

Summary

Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a cancer, caused by asbestos, which currently affects 2500 people in the UK each year. The main symptom is breathlessness caused by fluid building up in the space between the lung and the chest wall (pleural effusion). Treatment involves draining the fluid to allow the lung to re-expand (pleurodesis). However, sometimes tumour growth over the surface of the lung can prevent it from re-expanding. This 'trapped' lung results in fluid re-accumulation and repeated drainage which can lead to discomfort and multiple hospital visits.

One approach to dealing with 'trapped' lung in mesothelioma is to insert a thin tube (Indwelling Pleural Catheter - IPC) into the space around the lung. The tube can stay in place for a long time allowing patients to drain off fluid at home.

Another approach is a keyhole surgical operation (video-assisted thoracoscopic partial pleurectomy/decortication - VAT-PD) to remove as much tumour as possible from the lining of the lung to allow it to re-expand.

While both approaches are currently offered in clinical practice, it is not known which of the two is most effective at relieving breathlessness. The only way to find out is to conduct a research trial comparing the two. The Investigators plan to do this, but first of all need to carry out a small pilot study to collect information necessary to help plan the full study.

Conditions

• Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
• Trapped Lung

Interventions

PROCEDURE

pleurectomy/decortication

VAT-PD is a type of "keyhole surgery" performed under general anaesthesia using a telescope and instruments put inside the chest. Through small incisions, or keyholes made between the ribs, the thoracic surgeon removes the hard rind of the tumour over the surface of the lung, thereby allowing the 'trapped' lung to fully expand again. Simultaneous removal of mesothelioma from the outer pleural membrane allows pleurodesis to occur.

PROCEDURE

indwelling pleural catheter

A soft silicone catheter (IPC) with a one-way valve at the end is inserted a few centimetres under the skin under local anaesthesia. The inside end of the catheter is inserted into the pleural space and the outside end is connected to a vacuum drainage bottle. The IPC permits regular fluid drainage.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Institute for Health Research, United Kingdom

  collaborator OTHER_GOV

• London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

  collaborator OTHER

• King's College London

  collaborator OTHER

• University of Sheffield

  collaborator OTHER

• Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

  lead OTHER_GOV

Principal Investigators

• Robert Rintoul, Dr · Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2017-08-10

Primary Completion

2020-03-31

Completion

2020-08-01

Countries

• United Kingdom

Study Locations