ASEPT® Drainage System

The ASEPT® Drainage System is a tunnelled permanent catheter that is suitable for short-term and long-term use and serves the drainage of accumulated fluid from the pleural or peritoneal cavity in order to alleviate the symptoms of pleural effusions or ascites.

Recurring pleural effusions or ascites can be treated on an outpatient basis using the ASEPT® system. The drainage catheter is implanted in the pleural cavity (pleural effusion) or in the peritoneal cavity (ascites) with a combination of the tunnelling and Seldinger techniques. After completion of this surgical intervention the patient is able to return home, enabling them to perform drainage up to every 1 – 2 days in accordance with instructions provided by the physician.

Safety valve  The ASEPT® valve closes automatically, is easy to clean and connects the catheter with the drainage material in an hygienic manner. No end caps or fixations are required.

Advantages of the treatment with a permanent drainage catheter are:

• Quality of life

The direct symptoms, e.g. dyspnoea, already improve during the drainage. A spontaneous pleurodesis occurs within one month in 59% of the cases. 

Drainage using the ASEPT® system is almost painless when compared with other forms of treatment, e.g. chemical pleurodesis.

• Outpatient drainage

The drainage can be carried out by the patient, relatives or a nursing care service. If training is required please contact us. Drainage packets are sent direct to the patient address and include clear step-by-step instructions.

• Minimally invasive procedure

The catheter is inserted in the pleural or peritoneal cavity by means of the Seldinger technique. This minimises the risk of internal organs being injured. The intervention is carried out under a local anaesthetic and can take place whether as an inpatient or as an outpatient.

• Safe home drainage

The treatment has a low infection rate. The tunnelled application of the catheter provides an effective infection barrier and the pleural drainage bottles operate under negative pressure, thus preventing the fluids from penetrating the effusion space.

1 Warren et al., European Journal of Cardio-thoracic Surgery 33 (2008) 89-94