An indwelling pleural catheter (IPC) is typically needed for patients with recurrent pleural effusions, such as those caused by cancer or certain infections, who require ongoing drainage to relieve symptoms like shortness of breath or chest pain. These patients may have failed or be unsuitable candidates for other treatments like repeated thoracentesis or pleurodesis, making IPC insertion a viable option for long-term management of their pleural effusion. IPCs allow for regular drainage of fluid from the pleural space at home, offering improved quality of life and symptom control for these individuals.
Read on as we tackle some common questions associated with IPC.
An indwelling pleural catheter (IPC) is a soft, flexible plastic tube positioned at the side of your chest, facilitating the easy removal of accumulated fluid between your lungs and rib cage, aiming to alleviate shortness of breath caused by chest fluid buildup.
Since fluid often reaccumulates after drainage, the IPC remains in place for as long as necessary, allowing for easy fluid removal without the need for hospitalization or uncomfortable medical procedures.
When not in use, the IPC is capped and covered with a clean flat dressing, ensuring it remains discreet under loose clothing and does not disrupt your daily activities.
While IPC placement is generally safe and straightforward, potential issues include manageable pain, typically controlled with local anesthesia and pain medication, and minor bleeding that usually stops without intervention; severe bleeding requiring additional procedures or surgery is rare.
The main risk associated with IPCs is infection, affecting about 1 in 50 patients, which can often be treated successfully with antibiotics without the need for IPC removal. To minimize infection risk, it's crucial to handle the IPC and conduct fluid drainage in a clean environment, emphasizing strict hand hygiene and proper technique.
Yes, alternative treatments include pleural tap (thoracentesis), a relatively safe outpatient procedure involving needle insertion through the chest to remove fluid. However, this procedure needs to be repeated with each fluid reaccumulation, potentially leading to multiple interventions and increased risks of complications such as pain, bleeding, and infection.
Another option is temporary chest drain insertion, similar in complication risks to IPC placement but requiring hospitalization for complete fluid drainage and usually removal before hospital discharge. Administering talc into the chest cavity via the chest drain can reduce fluid reaccumulation, with a success rate of approximately 70%, contingent on adequate lung expansion post-drainage.
After IPC placement, you'll be monitored for a few hours, and if there are no complications, you may be discharged from the hospital with a family member or caregiver accompanying you home.
If you're hospitalized during IPC insertion, monitoring will continue in the hospital post-procedure. Our nurses will organize a meeting with you and your caregiver to provide guidance on IPC care, either during your hospital stay or at an outpatient review, ensuring you're equipped to manage the IPC properly.
Frequently Asked Questions about Indwelling Plural Catheter.pdf