Intraoperative placement of a self-retaining Foley catheter for continuous drainage of malignant ascites.
Malignant ascites in advanced cancer is usually treated by repeated paracentesis, causing both discomfort and inconvenience to patients in the terminal stages of disease. We present a case of advanced ovarian carcinoma in which intraoperative placement of a Foley's self-retaining catheter into the peritoneal cavity was used to facilitate long-term continuous drainage of malignant ascites. This is a simple, convenient and cost-effective method which decreases the need for repeated hospital admissions. The aim complication might be peritonitis, but with proper care of the device and the use of antibiotics, this was not seen in our patient.
Kuruvilla
A
A
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of the West Indies, General Hospital, Port of Spain, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.
Busby
G
G
Ramsewak
S
S
D000368:Aged; D001201:Ascites / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D002404:Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D003536:Cystadenocarcinoma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007813:Laparotomy; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods*; D019452:Terminally Ill; D016896:Treatment Outcome