To observe the clinical efficacy of Xiaoshui decoction (XSD

消水方) combined with intrapleural perfusion of cisplatin in the treatment of malignant pleural effusion. Fifty-one patients with malignant pleural effusion were randomly assigned to two groups. The treated group (26 patients) received oral administration of XSD combined with intrapleural perfusion of cisplatin

and the control group (25 patients) was only treated with intrapleural perfusion of cisplatin. The effects of the short-term efficacy

quality of life scores and clinical symptom scores of malignant pleural effusion were evaluated. The short-term efficacy in the treated group and the control group was 72.0% and 58.3%

respectively

and no significant difference was found (P>0.05). In contrast

the quality of life in the treated group was significantly improved compared to that of the control group (P<0.05)

and so was the symptom remission (P<0.05). The combined therapy of XSD and intrapleural perfusion of cisplatin did not show obvious improvement in short-term efficacy

but the therapy remarkably alleviated the symptoms and improved the quality of life of patients.