Two cases of yellow nail syndrome (a triad of yellow dystrophic nails, chronic lymphedema and pleural effusion) are described which demonstrate long-term control of recurrent pleural effusions by tetracycline pleurodesis. Neither patient developed problems as a result of the procedure enabling us to conclude that tetracycline pleurodesis is effective in managing reaccumulating pleural fluid in yellow nail syndrome and may avoid loss of lung function due to pleural peel.