This handout tells you how to prepare for placement of an Aspira Drainage Catheter. This procedure is done in the Interventional Radiology department.
Aspira Drainage Catheter
This drain is a soft silicone tube with many holes on one end. This is placed where fluid collects in your belly or lungs. The tube allows the fluid to drain out of your body and into a drainage bag. A valve at the end of the catheter stops fluid from leaking out and stops air from getting in when you are not using it. A portion of the drain is tunneled under your skin to reduce the risk of infection. This drain allows you to remove the fluid at home instead of coming into the hospital or clinic to have fluid taken out of the belly or lungs.
This drain will help to relieve:
Shortness of breath
Cough
Abdominal distention
Getting Ready
You may be told to stop taking blood thinners (such as aspirin or Coumadin) before we place the drain.
Do not eat or drink after midnighton the night before the drain placement.
You cannot drive. You will need a driver on the day of the procedure to bring you to the hospital or procedure center and bring you home.
If possible, bring your support person with you on the day of your procedure to learn about taking care of the drain after the procedure.
Tell your doctor if there is a chance you may be pregnant. Let them know if you have any allergies to iodine, latex, contrast, or medicines.
Risks
Some risks of using the Aspira Drainage Catheter include:
Infection (watch for fever, redness, and oozing at your drain site)
Collapsed lung
A leak around the drain
Drain changing position
Bleeding
Injury to other organs such as your lung, bowel, and liver
Low blood pressure if too much fluid is removed
Re-expansion pulmonary edema (too much fluid is removed too fast from your lung and your lung fills with more fluid)
Pain around the drain
What to Expect
The procedure often takes about 1 hour. First, you will have an IV placed so you can get medicine to help you relax and to help with pain during the procedure.
Then, we will inject a numbing medicine into the skin where the drain will be placed. An ultrasound and X-ray will be used to help locate the correct place for the drain.
A small cut will be made in your chest or belly. A needle will go through that cut and into the fluid. The needle will be exchanged for the flexible drain.
The doctor will then tunnel the drain under your skin and will make another cut where the drain will exit your body. You may feel some pressure during the placement of the drain.
We will remove fluid from your belly or chest after the drain is placed. The drain will then be secured in place with a suture.
The nurse will check your blood pressure and pulse throughout the procedure.
After the Procedure
You will spend 1-2 hours on bed rest. Then, a nurse will teach you and your support person how to use your new drain while you are in the hospital. You should practice draining the fluid from your chest or belly before you leave.
The dressing over the insertion site should be changed one time per week or if it becomes soiled or is falling off.
If you require hospice, they will know how to use this drain. If they have questions, they can call Interventional Radiology.
You will receive a phone call from an IR Nurse 2-3 weeks after your procedure for follow up.
Care and Maintenance
Scan this QR code for more information and videos about caring of your drain.
When to Call
Call the clinic if you notice:
Pain or shortness of breath that doesn’t go away after draining fluid
The drained fluid changes color
The drain isn’t draining (your valve may need to be replaced in the clinic)
Signs of infection at the puncture site:
Redness or warmth
Pus-like drainage or bleeding
Excess swelling
Fever over 100.4°F for 2 readings taken by mouth, four hours apart
Who to Call
Interventional Radiology
Monday-Friday, 8 am-4 pm
(608) 263-9729 Prompt #3
Ask for the “IR Nurse Coordinator” during normal business hours or the “IR resident on-call” between 4 pm and 8 am and weekends.