UK Medical: Experts in Chronic Drainage Solutions

The Pleurx Drainage Catheter

The Pleurx catheter has been successfully implanted in thousands of patients globally and has a wealth of published clinical data, in high impact factor journals, to support its use.  This clinical data stretches across 13 years and over 30 publications.

UK Medical is committed to providing ongoing training and support to help ensure Pleurx is supplied responsibly, with patient welfare at the heart of everything we do.

Recurrent Malignant Pleural Effusion:

Continued research into the Pleurx catheter has led to an opening in its indications with particular focus on the justification for using Pleurx in patients who would normally be considered candidates for talc slurry or thoracoscopic talc insufflation. Please click on the 'Pleurx Clinical Research Update' links to the right for more information.  Pleurx is also an excellent management option for patients with trapped lung.

Pleurx Pleural Catheter

• An alternative option to talc slurry and thoracoscopic talc insufflation
• Can be implanted under local anaesthetic
• Achieves spontaneous pleurodesis in up to 70% of patients¹
• Reduced overall cost versus talc pleurodesis²
• Community & ward training provided by UK Medical

Recurrent Malignant Ascites:

The Pleurx Peritoneal Catheter allows patients to manage their recurrent malignant ascites at home.  This negates the need for regular hospital admissions for repeat large volume paracentesis.  As a result patients no longer have to wait for excessive fluid accumulation before draining.  Therefore Pleurx offers patients improved symptom control and more time spent at home with family and friends.  Infection rates with Pleurx are low and many patients can drain fluid by themselves or with the assistance of a relative or carer.

Pleurx Peritoneal Catheter

• An alternative option to repeat large volume paracentesis
• Regular intermittent drainage to prevent excessive fluid accumulation and associated symptoms
• Avoid repeat hospital admissions for repeat paracentesis
• Low infection rate³
• "[The Pleurx catheter] enables patients to eliminate repeated visits to the hospital and the pain and anxiety of repeated hospital taps."⁴

For more information or to arrange for a member of the UK Medical team to visit your centre please contact:

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• T: 0114 268 8880
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1. Tremblay A, Mason C, Michaud G: Use of tunnelled catheters for malignant pleural effusions in patients fit for pleurodesis. European Respiratory Journal 2007; 30(4):759-62
2. Putnam JB, Walsh GL, et al. Outpatient Management of Malignant Pleural Effusion by a Chronic Indwelling Pleural Catheter. Annals of Thoracic Surgery 2000; 69:369-375
3. Rosenberg S, Courtney AL, Nemcek AA, et al. Comparison of percutaneous management techniques for recurrent malignant ascites. JVIR 2004; 15:1129-31
4. Iyengar TD, Herzog TJ. Management of symptomatic ascites in recurrent ovarian cancer patients using an intra-abdominal semi-permanent catheter. American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Care 2002; 19(1):35-8