Management of Malignant Pleural Effusions Using the Pleurx Catheter

Insertion of Pleurx catheters is an effective way to treat patients with a malignant pleural effusion on an outpatient basis with a high degree of patient compliance and few complications. Overall, almost 60% of the catheters can be removed with a very low chance of reaccumulation, and without the need to instill a sclerosing agent. Even patients with a trapped lung can be palliated and released from hospital, although the likelihood of removing the catheter is small.