Work

Pleural and intra-abdominal long-term drainage: comparison of a novel double-loop and a conventional single-loop catheter

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: To evaluate the efficacy and advantages of a novel double-loop drainage catheter (nDLC) compared with a conventional single-loop catheter (cSLC) in overcoming dysfunctional retraction for pleural and intra-abdominal drainage. METHODSA retrospective review of 356 patients who underwent drainage procedures between January and October 2023 was conducted.Of these, 221 received cSLC and 135 received nDLC, all using 8-F catheters.Complicated collections (e.g., empyema, pneumothorax, bile, pancreatic secretions, bloody collection, urine, or air) were excluded.The complication-free catheter indwelling time was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method.Patient characteristics and complications were compared using paired t-tests and Fisher's exact tests. RESULTSThe nDLC group demonstrated a significantly longer mean complication-free catheter indwelling time [70.3 days, 95% confidence interval (CI): 52.8-87.9]than the cSLC group (19.6 days, 95% CI: 17.9-21.2;P < 0.05).Subgroup analysis showed superior indwelling times with nDLC for both intra-abdominal (77.5 vs. 18.7 days) and pleural drainage (35.9 vs. 19.7 days) (P < 0.05).Dysfunctional retraction occurred in 10 cases in the cSLC group but in no cases in the nDLC group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONThe nDLC significantly reduces dysfunctional retraction and provides a longer complication-free catheter indwelling time than the cSLC for both pleural and intra-abdominal drainage. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCEThe nDLC design effectively prevents catheter retraction and eliminates the need for suture anchoring, potentially reducing suture-related complications and improving long-term catheter performance in patients requiring prolonged pleural or intra-abdominal drainage.

Source: Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology

DOI: 10.4274/dir.2026.263808

Authors: Su Ho Kim, Jung Suk Oh, Ho Jong Chun

Institutions: The Catholic University of Korea Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic University of Korea

Language: English

Topic: Pleural and Pulmonary Diseases

Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W7140080132