Use of a Port-a-Cath system in the home setting for the treatment of symptomatic recurrent malignant pleural effusion.
Symptomatic malignant pleural effusions represent a common problem in metastatic cancers and are associated with a significant morbidity. Pleurodesis still remains the primary therapy of choice. In a few cases, however, pleurodesis is unsuccessful because of a limited lung expansion and pleuroperitoneal shunts have been used. We describe two cases where an implantable PORT-A-CATH system is used for regular drainage of the pleural effusion. The main advantage of this technique is the fact that the procedure of drainage can be performed by a nurse in the home setting.
Verfaillie
G
G
Department of Thoracic Surgery AZ-VUB Jette, Brussels, Belgium. guy.verfaille@az.vub.ac.be
Herreweghe
R V
RV
Lamote
J
J
Noppen
M
M
Sacre
R
R
D000368:Aged; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D004322:Drainage / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016066:Pleural Effusion, Malignant / Q000451:nursing / Q000628:therapy*; D010997:Pleural Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D011859:Radiography; D012008:Recurrence