Indwelling pleural catheters (IPCs) are increasingly being used for patients with recurrent malignant pleural effusions. They are simple to place and can be done on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia. IPCs uniformly relieve dyspnea and improve quality of life of patients with malignant pleural effusions. In some patients with recurrent non-malignant pleural effusions (chylothorax, etc), IPCs proved to be effective as well. With increasing use of IPCs, physicians and patients are faced with complications related to the presence of an indwelling catheter for extended periods of time.
SURGICAL PROCEDURES
- ICU Stay: No
- HOSPITAL Stay: 3 days
- TOTAL Stay in TURKEY (range in DAYS*; unless any other complications!): 5-6 Days
GENERAL INFO
Before Surgery
- Consultations: Anesthesia and if needed Chest Diseases and Medical Oncology! *(Chest Diseases and Oncology are Not included in the total charges)
- Blood Tests: Yes (Hemogram, Serology, Biochemistry, Blood type)
- Chest X-Ray: Yes (*Bilateral; PA and Lateral Chest Graphies)
- Abdominal X-Ray: No
- PFT (Pulmonary Function Test): No
- V/Q Scan (Lung Ventilation / Perfusion Scan): No
- Chest and/or Abdominal CT Scan: Chest CT Scan – *(If the patient have the CT scans already done, then no need to take additional CT scans preop)-*(Not included in the total charge)
- PET / CT Scan (Positron Emisson Tomography): No
- MRI (Chest, Abdomen and/or Brain) – *(If the patient have the MRI already done, then no need to take additional MRI preop): No
- Bone Scan: No
- USG / Ultrasonography (Chest, Abdomen, and/or others): Not routine – If needed!* – Preop evaluation (* Not included in the total charges)
During Surgery
- General Anesthesia: No
- Local/Regional Anesthesia: No
- Local Anesthesia + Sedation: Yes
- Spinal/Epidural Anesthesia: No
- PCA (Patient Controlled Analgesia; Epidural or IV route! – *(Not included in the total charges!): If needed!
After Surgery
- HOSPITAL STAY after the ICU period, if ever: 2-3 Days
- STAY AT HOTEL after being discharged from Hospital – *’Wound Dressing’ Everyday till the Control Day!: 2-3 Days
- First CONTROL Day! – Get the Stitches removed, If ever!: Day 10: 5th Day
- Discharged to HOME – *Take your prescription – DO NOT FORGET! – Patient generally could have “a safe flight to home” after the FIRST CONTROL!: 5th-6th Day
- After – Surgery (4th Week) – Needs CONSULTATIONS by “Medical AND Radiation Oncology Clinics”: Yes
- Late – CONTROLS (1st -3rd – 6th – 12th -24th months in concordance with “the Medical & Radiation Oncology Departments Follow-ups”)!: Yes