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.