Use of a subcutaneous implantable pleural port in the management of recurrent malignant pleurisy: five-year experience based on 168 subcutaneous implantable pleural ports.

Introduction: The authors report their experience in the use of subcutaneous implantable pleural port (SIPP) catheters for the treatment of symptomatic recurrent malignant pleurisy.

Materials And Methods: Single-center, prospective follow-up of 137 patients (168 SIPPs).

Results: No SIPP placement failures were observed. All but 3 of the 125 evaluable patients obtained complete or partial relief of their dyspnea. Seventy-six patients (60.3%) were receiving chemotherapy. Spontaneous pleurodesis was observed within 2 months in 46 patients (36.8%). Twenty-six patients (20.8%) died during the month following SIPP placement. Forty-one patients (32%) survived for more than 6 months. The overall median survival time was 344 days. Three infectious complications (1 empyema, 2 cellulitis) and 3 mechanical complications were observed. The role of pleurodesis as prognostic factor was assessed. Seventy-one patients survived for more than 2 months, 36 with pleurodesis, 35 without pleurodesis, requiring repeated pleural aspiration. The difference observed between the two groups by the 120th day was no longer significant when chemotherapy was taken into account.

Conclusion: SIPP is a safe and effective option for the outpatient management of recurrent malignant effusions and could be considered as first-line treatment in all patients with bilateral, compressive pleural effusion or poor lung reexpansion.