Research Article

The Palliative Management of Refractory Cirrhotic Ascites Using the PleurX© Catheter

Table 2

Adverse events following PleurX catheter insertion ().

Adverse eventn (%)

Ascites outflow around the catheter site7 (41.2)
Hematoma1 (5.8)
Catheter obstructed3 (17.6)
Catheter displaced1 (5.8)
Cellulitis3 (17.6)
Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (enteric)6 (35.3)
Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (catheter-associated)11 (64.7)
Prerenal azotemia3 (17.6)

Enteric, includes typical microorganisms known to be associated with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in liver cirrhosis (i.e., Escherichia coli, Enterococcus, Klebsiella, and Streptococcus).
Catheter-associated, includes microorganisms consistent with skin flora (i.e., Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas, Bacillus species, Coryneform, and Acinetobacter).