PeritX peritoneal catheter drainage system for vacuum-assisted drainage of treatment-resistant, recurrent malignant ascites

NICE has assessed the PeritX peritoneal catheter drainage system to help the NHS decide whether to use this product.

Sometimes people with malignant cancer (cancer that has spread) get a build-up of fluid in their abdomen called ascites, which can cause unpleasant symptoms. The PeritX peritoneal catheter drainage system allows this fluid to be removed as and when needed, at home or in the community, rather than waiting to have this done in hospital. NICE has said that it can be used for people whose malignant ascites comes back after treatment.

Healthcare teams may want to use the PeritX peritoneal catheter drainage system because it works well, may improve patients' quality of life, and can save money compared with carrying out the procedure in hospital.