Objective To observe the effects of simultaneous bilateral central venous intubation on chest drainage for bilateral malignant pleural effusion induced by primary non-small lung cancer and summarize the nursing measures. Methods Totally 65 patients with bilateral malignant pleural effusion were randomized into experiment group and control group. In the former group, chest drainage was done using bilateral central venous intubation and in the latter, unilateral chest drainage was used. The two groups were compared in terms of effectiveness rate, time for intubation, remission duration and hospitalization. Results The time for remission duration, hospital stay and time for intubation were all significantly shorter than those of the control group (all P<0.05). There were no significances in curative effect and adverse reactions between the two groups. Conclusion Chest drainage using simultaneous bilateral intubation for bilateral malignant pleural effusion induced by primary non-small lung cancer can be effective in shortening the time for remission, intubation and hospitalization. But it causes no more adverse reaction.