ASEPT® Drainage

Recurring pleural effusions or ascites can be treated on an outpatient basis using the ASEPT® system. Cardinal symptoms, such as dyspnoea, already improve during drainage. A spontaneous pleurodesis arises in 59 % of the cases within one month. (Warren et al., European Journal of Cardio-thoracic Surgery 33 (2008) 89-94)

A tunnelled permanent drainage catheter is implanted in the pleural cavity (pleural effusion) or in the peritoneal cavity (ascites) by means of Seldinger technique. After completion of this surgical intervention, the patient is able to return home. The drainage is carried out there every 1 – 2 days in accordance with instructions provided by the physician. Thus punctures become dispensable.

General Benfits

Improved quality of life
The direct symptoms, e.g. dyspnoea, already improve during the drainage. A spontaneous pleurodesis occurs within one month in 59% of the cases. (Warren et al., European Journal of Cardio-thoracic Surgery 33 (2008) 89-94) 
Drainage using the ASEPT® system is almost painless, when compared with other forms of treatment, e.g. chemical pleurodesis.

Outpatient drainage
Thanks to the outpatient drainage time-consuming and exhausting punctures in hospital resp. in a medical practice become dispensable. The drainage can be carried out by the patient himself, relatives or a nursing care service. They will be trained by examined nursing staff from pfmmedical. Drainage bottles are sent directly to the patient.

Minimally invasive
The catheter is inserted in the pleural or peritoneal cavity by means of the Seldinger technique – this minimises the risk of internal organs being injured. The intervention which is carried out under local anaesthetic can take place whether as an inpatient or as an outpatient.

Prevention of revolving door effects
Constant connection with a drainage bag may lead to a dislocation of the implant. A new system and an inpatient stay would be the result. Through an intermittent drainage by means of vacuum the patient has the greatest possible mobility and therefore quality of life. It is recommended to regularly drain with suction in order to prevent possible (protein) accumulations within the catheter and valve.

Safe
The treatment has a low infection rate. On the one hand the tunnelled application of the catheter provides an effective infection barrier, on the other hand the drainage bottles which are under negative pressure prevent contaminated fluids from penetrating the effusion space.

Different strengths of suction
For the outpatient drainage two alternative bottle systems are available. According to the indication as well as individual preferences the therapy can be done either by means of high vacuum (ASEPT® Drainage Kit) or low vacuum respectively gravity drainage (ASEPT® Drainage Kit L).