ASEPT® System

Recurring pleural effusions or ascites can be treated on an outpatient basis using the ASEPT® system. A tunnelled permanent drainage catheter is implanted in the pleural cavity (pleural effusion) or in the peritoneal cavity (ascites). 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.

Advantages of the treatment with a permanent drainage catheter are:

1. 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.1 Drainage using the ASEPT® system is almost painless, when compared with other forms of treatment, e.g. chemical pleurodesis.
2. Outpatient drainage
   The drainage can be carried out by the patient, relatives or a nursing care service. They will be trained by examined nursing staff from pfm medical. Drainage bottles are sent direct to the patient.
3. 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 a local anaesthetic can take place whether as an inpatient or as an outpatient.
4. Safety
   The treatment has a low infection rate. On the one hand, the tunnelled application of the catheter provides an effective infection barrier and on the other, the drainage bottles which are under negative pressure prevent contaminated fluids from penetrating the effusion space.

1 Warren et al., European Journal of Cardio-thoracic Surgery 33 (2008) 89-94

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