[PleurX drainage catheter for palliative treatment of malignant pleural effusion].

OBJECTIVE: In patients with malignant effusions and ECOG 3 - 4 or unexpandable lung, the PleurX® catheter system provides an effective at-home palliation of symptoms associated with recurrent pleural effusions. We investigated the clinical results of patients treated by this method in our population.

METHODS: All patients treated with PleurX between June 2005 and September 2010 in our clinical center were recorded using a predefined data sheet. Primary points of interest were complications associated with the insertion procedure, short- and long-term complications after insertion of the catheter, the rate of pleurodesis, the frequency of hospitalizations due to effusion-associated symptoms, time of drainage and survival time after insertion. In order to assess follow-up, a standardized questionnaire was sent to the attending practitioners.

RESULTS: Pleural effusions were most frequently due to lung cancer, breast cancer and mesothelioma. The rate of compilations associated with the insertion procedure was 7 %, and complications could easily be managed. The rate of short-term complications after insertion of the catheter was 7 %, and of long-term compilations 18 %. The rate of pleurodesis was 16 %. 78 % of patients did not need another hospitalization due to effusion-related symptoms. The mean time of drainage was 52 days. The mean survival after insertion of the drainage was 76 ± 85 days (1 - 453).

CONCLUSIONS: The insertion of a PleurX catheter is associated with a low complication rate. Short-term and long-term complications are usually mild and can be readily managed. Hospitalizations due to effusion-related symptoms were not necessary in the majority of patients.