Which of the following statements about pleurodesis is least accurate?

The statement regarding bleomycin being the least cost-effective agent for pleurodesis is the least accurate. In practice, pleurodesis is performed to obliterate the pleural space to prevent recurrent pleural effusions or pneumothorax. Common agents used for pleurodesis include talc and chemotherapy agents like bleomycin. There is a range of costs associated with these agents, and while some may consider bleomycin to be less cost-effective compared to talc, it is often used due to its effectiveness in certain scenarios rather than purely on cost.

Furthermore, talc is indeed a well-recognized sclerosing agent used in pleurodesis because of its efficacy. The criteria for performing pleurodesis, such as drainage volumes, play a critical role in determining the appropriateness of the procedure; typically, it's performed when daily drainage is stable or less than a certain threshold, like 100 mL/day. Finally, the standard postoperative protocol includes placing the chest tube on underwater seal to maintain lung re-expansion and may be followed by removal after monitoring for complications.

Understanding pleurodesis helps in recognizing the clinical decision-making regarding agent selection, operative techniques, and postoperative care.