About this trial
The PROMPT study is testing whether an early keyhole procedure called Medical Thoracoscopy, which lets doctors look inside the chest and remove infected fluid, works better than current standard treatment (medicines to break up thick fluid) for people with pleural infection. About 170 patients in several hospitals will be randomly assigned to one of the two treatments, and researchers will see which approach results in fewer additional procedures-such as another drain or surgery-within 30 days, as well as how quickly people recover and whether they experience any complications. Everyone in the study receives high-quality care, and the results will help doctors better understand which treatment gives patients the best chance of recovering quickly and safely
Eligibility criteria
Qualifiers
Adults ≥ 18 years
Clinical and radiological diagnosis of pleural infection (purulent, culture-positive, or pH < 7.2)
Need of pleural drainage
Able and willing to give informed consent
Disqualifiers
Chest drain in situ >24h before randomisation
Post-traumatic pleural effusion
Known allergy to fibrinolytic agents or contraindication to thoracoscopy
Pregnancy or breastfeeding
Trial design
Treatments tested in this trial
- medical thoracoscopy
- Standard of Care