OBJECTIVES: The aim of this article was to assess the success, safety, complication profile and factors associated with long-term patency of tunnelled peritoneal drains (PleurX) in the treatment of refractory malignant @entity843 . METHODS: Over a 4-year period, 28 consecutive @entity1 (32 drain insertions) with refractory malignant @entity843 were treated with a PleurX drain. The study group comprised 7 males and 21 females (mean age, 61 years). A combination of fluoroscopic and ultrasound guidance was used to insert 4 drains; the remaining 28 drains were inserted under ultrasound guidance alone. @entity1 history, biochemical profiles, pathological and procedural records and clinical follow-up until @entity204 were reviewed. Statistical analysis included multivariate logistic regression analysis and Kaplan-Meier curves (p<0.05 was considered significant). RESULTS: There was a 100% technical success rate for the insertion of the drain; there were no procedure-related @entity204 and no major complications. Only minor complications were reported: three (10%) immediate; three (10%) early; and two (7%) late. Factors significantly associated with these complications included current chemotherapy, low haemoglobin levels, low albumin levels, high white cell count and high @entity1851 levels. The length of time the drains remained in situ, and therefore patent, ranged from 5 to 365 days (mean, 113 days). Out of the original 28 tunnelled drains, 24 (86%) remained in situ and functioning until the @entity1 ' @entity204 . Four (14%) drains dislodged and a subsequent PleurX drain was inserted on the opposite side of the abdominal wall. These new drains remained patent until the @entity1 's @entity204 . The annual event rate was 0.45 events per year. A comorbid diagnosis of @entity8 or chemotherapy was significantly related to a decreased length of patency. CONCLUSION: The use of tunnelled peritoneal drains is safe and effective and we would advocate their use as a first-line approach in @entity1 with refractory malignant @entity843 . Care and regular follow-up is indicated following insertion of the drain in all @entity1 , especially those on chemotherapy and those with a pre-procedure diagnosis of @entity8 .

PleurX drain use in the management of malignant XXXX : safety, complications, long-term patency and factors predictive of success.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients', 'patient', 'Patient'] @entity8 :: ('MESH:D007674', 'Disease') :: ['renal disease'] @entity843 :: ('MESH:D001201', 'Disease') :: ['ascites'] @entity204 :: ('MESH:D003643', 'Disease') :: ['death', 'deaths'] @entity1851 :: ('1401', 'Gene') :: ['c-reactive protein']
@entity843 :: (MESH:D001201,Disease) :: ['ascites']
