In developing countries where talc may not be readily available, video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) iodopovidone pleurodesis offers an excellent alternative for the treatment of malignant pleural effusions (MPEs). This study analyzes a retrospective experience using VATS iodopovidone pleurodesis for malignant pleural effusions at a single cardiothoracic center in the capital of Colombia evaluating success according to LENT (Lactate, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group-ECOG, Neutrophil-Lymphocyte ratio, Tumor type) scores. A total of 75 records of patients taken to VATS iodopovidone pleurodesis for MPEs were retrieved from our institutional database during a 5-year period from 2014-2019.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe hospital-to-home transition in palliative care is a vital process that requires continuity of care through the discharge process. However, little is known about the perceptions of patients with cancer and their family caregivers during this important palliative care transition in the Colombian health care context. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of the patient-family caregiver dyad in palliative care during the transition process between hospital and home in a health care institution in Bogota, Colombia.
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