Peritoneal Catheter Placement

Peritoneal catheterization is a small plastic tube that is implanted under the skin to provide a painless way of withdrawing excess fluid from or delivering anti-cancer drugs into the abdominal or peritoneal cavity over a period of weeks, months or even years. The catheter has an external access and is designed to hang down into the abdominal cavity once it is placed inside the body. The peritoneal catheter is implanted during a minimally invasive procedure so that patients may undergo treatments such as serial paracentesis, in which excess fluids in the abdomen are repeatedly withdrawn through a catheter connected to the port; intraperitoneal therapy, in which anti-cancer drugs are delivered into the peritoneal cavity through a catheter connected to the port; and dialysis in certain patients with chronic renal failure. Physicians use peritoneal catheters for peritoneal dialysis, intractable ascites, ovarian cancer, and for intraperitoneal malignant ascites, and intraperitoneal administration of chemotherapy. Image-guided, minimally invasive procedures such as the placement of peritoneal catheters are most often performed by an interventional radiologist in an interventional radiology suite or occasionally in the operating room. This procedure is often done on an outpatient basis. However, some procedures may require admission..

Why UAB

Interventional radiology is a medical specialty that uses minimally invasive techniques to diagnose and treat a wide range of health problems, and it is an integral part of comprehensive patient care. The UAB Medicine interventional radiology team is a dedicated group of skilled, innovative health care professionals who are committed to providing the highest quality of care to our patients.

The group uses the latest and most advanced technology and imaging methods, including fluoroscopy, ultrasound, and CT scans, to treat tumors as well as peripheral arterial, venous, urologic, and hepatobiliary diseases. Each of our five dedicated angiography suites has the full range of imaging technology needed for complex procedures, along with the latest in patient monitoring and documentation systems. Because UAB Medicine is an academic health center, patients may be offered participation in clinical research trials, which can provide access to new techniques and treatments that are not available elsewhere in the area.

CLINICAL TRIALS

UAB is an active participant in research and clinical trials for Peritoneal Catheter placement. We encourage you to speak to your physician about research and clinical trial options and browse the link below for more information on clinical trials at clinicaltrials.gov.

View Clinical Trials