Use of a Novel, Shortened, Indwelling Pleural Catheter (PleurX) for the Ambulatory Management of Malignant Pleural Effusion: A Single Center Experience.

Background: Indwelling pleural catheters are frequently used for the treatment of malignant pleural effusion. The PleurX catheter (Becton, Dickinson and Company) is a commonly used indwelling pleural catheter across Canada. The traditional PleurX catheter is designed with a long segment of tubing outside of the patient's chest, making insertion, drainage, and dressing changes awkward. Our clinic developed a novel, shortened, PleurX catheter that is easier to handle.

Methods: We conducted retrospective chart review for all patients treated with a shortened PleurX catheter at our center from December 2015 to May 2019 and demographics, clinical information, and complications were recorded retrospectively. A survey was designed and distributed to nurses experienced with the use of both catheters to elicit a preference between the short and long catheter.

Results: We analyzed data from 503 catheters placed in 491 patients. The most frequently encountered complications were loculation requiring fibrinolytic (2.4%), catheter dislodgement (1.2%), and pleural infection (0.6%). Of nurses surveyed, 74% preferred using the shortened PleurX catheter.

Conclusion: Complication rates of the novel, shortened PleurX catheter are low. Further research is needed to better determine the optimal catheter length for ambulatory management of malignant pleural effusion.