Establishment of permanent peritoneal PleurX catheter as palliative treatment of malignant ascites.

INTRODUCTION

Refractory malignant ascites (RMA) is a manifestation of end-stage cancer disease with a major impact on quality of life due to the symptom burden and need for repeated hospitalisations. We previously described the implantation of the permanent PleurX catheter as a treatment of RMA. The present study aimed to evaluate and describe our experience with the permanent PleurX catheter system in the largest cohort to date.

METHODS

A total of 97 consecutive patients had a PleurX catheter implanted from 2015 to 2021. We retrieved retrospective data on patients and procedures using the patient's medical records.

RESULTS

A total of 96 (99%) of implantations were successful, and all patients had symptom relief. Six patients (6%) experienced minor or moderate adverse events: three due to infection, two due to leakage and one because of hypotension. The mean residual lifetime was 77 days.

CONCLUSIONS

We established that implantation of the permanent peritoneal PleurX catheter is a safe and efficient treatment of RMA. We emphasise the importance of early detection and intervention in the management of RMA by implantation of a permanent peritoneal catheter.

FUNDING: None.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not relevant.