Abstract: ObjectiveTo explore the method of lower cost and better results.to prevent pleural thickening(PT) of tuberculous pleurisy. MethodsSixty-four patients with middle to large plerural effusions were randomly assigned to a treatment group and a control group. Patients in treatment group given with sodium hyaluronate via central venous catheter into the thoracic cavity after pleural effusion was drainaged completely，while patients in control group received routine thoracentesis. We calculated the cost after 3 months in two groups respectively and analyzed the cost-effectiveness and sensitivity. ResultsFifty-nine patients were available for final analysis. The incidence rate of PT at 3rd month were 6.7% in treatment group and 31.0% in control group（the effective rate: 93.3% vs. 69.0%,respectively）with statistically significant difference（P＜0.05）；The cost/effective rate were 35.2 in the treatment group and 47.5 in the control group. Sensitivity analysis showed 35.6 in the treatment group and 49.00 in the control group. ConclusionsIntrathoracic cannula combining with administration of sodium hyaluronate is a method of lower cost and better Results to prevent pleural thickening of tuberculous pleurisy.

Key words: Tuberculosis,pleural/complications, Tuberculosis,pleural/economics, Pleural diseases, Drainage, Hyaluronic acid, Costs and cost analysis