• Barbara S den Hollander, Bairbre L Connolly, Lillian Sung, Adam Rapoport, C M Zwaan, Ronald M Grant, Dimitri Parra, and Michael J Temple.
• Division of Haematology/Oncology, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Pediatric Oncology/Haematology, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, University of Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
• Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2014 Jun 1;61(6):1007-12.

BackgroundMalignant pleural effusion (MPE) and ascites (MA) negatively impact quality of life of palliative patients. Treatment options are limited. This study's purpose is to examine the experience with indwelling tunneled catheters (ITCs) for management of MPE/MA in children with advanced cancer.MethodsChildren with MPE/MA who underwent ITC insertion (2007-2012) were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical, procedural, complication and outcome details were analyzed.ResultsPleurX® ITCs (n = 12) were inserted in eight patients (5-18 years) with sarcoma (11 MPE, 1 MA), achieving symptom relief and facilitating discharge home post ITC (median 2 days). Median survival following ITC was 51 days. There were two major complications: pain (n = 1), late site infection (n = 1), and five minor complications. Drainage ceased in four patients (pleurodesis/tumor progression). At time of death, six ITCs (five patients) were still in situ.ConclusionsITC appears to be a safe, effective treatment for MPE/MA in advanced pediatric cancer, achieving symptomatic relief and discharge home.© 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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