IPC

How is IPC inserted and used:

IPC is inserted by a surgeon in day surgery.

A local anaesthetic is used. - This will cause stinging but it will go away and the area will become numb.

Two small cuts are made and then the catheter is inserted into the skin, into the plural cavity.

Two small and painless stitches will then be inserted into the skin to hold the tube in place. The tube is soft and flexible, the stitches can be removed by the nurse or doctor a week later.

There may be some bruising for the next week, but this will heal and pain killers will help you get by while recovering.

The IPC (Indwelling plueral catheter) can then be used to drain fluid from your lungs by a trained nurse or paramedic to help preserve your health.

In this situation, the goal of this procedure is for a paramedic to perform removal of excess fluid from your lungs by virtual telehealth.

The use of video technology means a person skilled in removing fluid can come to you to help you, supported by video with doctors and nurses.

Source:

Indwelling Pleural Catheter (IPC) | North Bristol NHS Trust (nbt.nhs.uk)

Accessed on: 28/5/23.