Long-term solution for recurrent fluid buildup.
Recurring pleural effusions or ascites from cancer causing breathlessness and discomfort? Pleuroperitoneal and peritoneal shunts provide continuous drainage without repeated hospital visits for fluid tapping.
Understanding Pleuroperitoneal Shunts
Many cancer patients develop recurrent pleural effusions (fluid around the lungs) or malignant ascites (fluid in the abdomen). Repeated thoracentesis or paracentesis provides temporary relief but requires frequent hospital visits and causes protein loss.
Pleuroperitoneal shunts and indwelling pleural catheters (IPCs) offer a more permanent solution. They allow continuous or patient-controlled drainage of fluid, reducing symptoms and hospital visits while maintaining quality of life during cancer treatment.
How Do Shunts and Catheters for Fluid Work?
Dr. Vrishit Saraswat places indwelling drainage catheters or shunts under image guidance with local anaesthesia. For pleural effusions, a tunnelled indwelling pleural catheter (IPC) is placed through the chest wall, allowing the patient or caregiver to drain fluid at home. For ascites, a tunnelled peritoneal catheter provides similar outpatient drainage. These devices remain in place for as long as needed and can be removed when the fluid production stops (pleurodesis) or when no longer required.
Focused Patient Care
We assess the cause, volume, and recurrence pattern of your fluid accumulation to determine whether IPC, shunt, or chemical pleurodesis is the most appropriate long-term management strategy.
24/7 Support
Symptomatic large effusions causing severe breathlessness need urgent attention. We provide emergency drainage and same-visit indwelling catheter placement when needed.
Timely Treatment
Patient and caregiver education on home drainage technique, output monitoring, and recognising signs of infection are integral to our IPC management programme.
Advanced tumor ablation techniques deliver targeted cancer treatment through precise image-guided procedures with minimal healthy tissue damage.
Comprehensive supportive care interventions enhance quality of life during cancer treatment through specialized interventional radiology techniques and procedures.
Personalized oncological protocols combine curative and palliative approaches ensuring optimal outcomes and improved patient comfort throughout treatment.
Our Treatment Process
Here is what to expect during your fluid management procedure:
1
Comprehensive Oncological Assessment
Advanced imaging and multidisciplinary evaluation help determine optimal intervention approach; treatment is tailored to your specific cancer type, stage, and overall health status.
2
Minimally Invasive Cancer Intervention
Using precise image guidance, targeted treatments are delivered directly to tumors or supportive devices are placed through small punctures without major surgery.
3
Recovery & Ongoing Support
Most patients experience faster recovery compared to open procedures, with comprehensive follow-up care to monitor treatment response and manage any complications.
FAQs About The Service
Common questions about drainage catheters and shunts:
What oncological conditions can be treated interventionally?
We treat liver tumors, lung masses, kidney cancers, and provide supportive care including feeding tubes, chemotherapy ports, and drainage procedures for cancer patients.
How effective are tumor ablation procedures?
Tumor ablations can achieve complete tumor destruction in 85-95% of appropriately selected cases, offering excellent local control with minimal side effects compared to surgery.
What supportive care interventions do you provide?
We offer PEG tube placements, chemoport insertions, drainage procedures, and long-term catheter placements to support patients throughout their cancer treatment journey.
Are oncological interventions safe during active cancer treatment?
Yes, most interventional oncology procedures can be safely performed during chemotherapy or radiation therapy, often enhancing overall treatment effectiveness and patient comfort.