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A4205 - The Use of Untunneled Indwelling Pleural Catheters for Non-Malignant Pleural Effusions in the Outpatient
Author Block: J. M. Lopez, A. Miotto, P. A. A. Honda, D. C. Dias, J. H. Rivaben, R. H. Roja, T. B. Hassegawa, M. C. Braz, M. Botter; Hospital Sancta Maggiore, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Tunneled indwelling pleural catheters are the most updated technology for treatment of pleural diseases. They are used to treat neoplasic pleural effusions, especially in patients with trapped lung. There is no report in the literature about untunneled indwelling pleural catheters. In cases of spontaneous pneumothorax, this catheter is often used in theoutpatient, with excellent results. Thus, this study evaluated the use of untunneled pleural catheters in benign pleural effusion for the outpatient treatment. In this prospective study, were evaluated 37 patients who underwent pleural drainage with a Wayne© cateter.Patients were discharged after clearing medical comorbidities. Of 37 patients evaluated, 20 were women and 17 men, with a mean age of 72 years. The cause of pleural effusion was: heart failure (75,6 %), renal insufficiency ( 16,2 %), liver cirrhosis ( 5%). The averagetime with the catheter was 12.5 days, and the average length of stay in the hospital was 3.3 days. 48,6% of patients were discharged within 24 hours. Only 2 patients had skin infection and received antibiotics. No patient developed empyema or systemic infection.This study was developed in a service for elderly care, where we treat cases of recurrent pleural effusion very often. Our drainage protocol was established in conjunction with a multidisciplinar structure, wich allowed us to reduce the hospital stay. We understand that a shorter hospital stay, especially in the elderly, leads to lower infection rates and better recovery. We conclude that the use of untunneled indwelling pleural catheter is safe and effective, and may represent a good treatment option for patients with recurrent non- malignant pleural effusion.