The catheter can remain in place for an unlimited amount of time. It rarely gets obstructed and if it does, you can flush it. So there is no need to replace it as long as it works, unless there is evidence of infection associated with the catheter. Such signs may include redness, swelling, and palpable heat. If you are not sure, ask your doctor.

You can also use the drainage set abroad. Before you leave, you’ll need to order enough drainage sets. Our ewimed drainage sets with bags are particularly suitable as they do not take up much space. When disposing of the drainage set, please observe the local waste disposal regulations in your country.

The catheter can be removed by a doctor under local anaesthetic if necessary. One reason may be that the fluid stops accumulating, but there are other reasons as well.

Yes, we have many years of experience in drainage of pleural effusion and ascites. Every year, more than thousand patients in Sweden receive an indwelling catheter. As a result, the patient regains some quality of life and can spend more time at home.

Yes, draining the fluid reduces or eliminates symptoms such as shortness of breath or stomach tension. Because you don’t have a drainage set connected when you’re not draining, you’re more mobile in everyday life. You can wear the catheter under a dressing that is not visible under your clothes.

Showering is possible with the catheter under a dressing. However, prolonged contact with water should be avoided, so swimming or bathing is not possible. We cannot recommend visiting a sauna either. This is both for hygienic reasons and because the catheter valve may start to leak at the high temperatures.

Talk to your doctor about this before you travel. The doctor can then make a recommendation based on your individual situation.

For a longer trip, you should also consider ordering enough drainage set in advance. See also “can I go on holiday with the catheter? Even abroad?”

If you experience any discomfort due to your catheter or fluid during your trip, you should immediately contact a doctor at your destination.

Yes, if you don’t handle the catheter correctly, you can damage it. Please read the instructions carefully.

If you or your loved ones want to drain the fluid yourself, we will arrange with the health service for you to take the drainage sets home. You can choose whether you want us to send the material to your door. Or, if you prefer, you can pick it up at the nearest postal delivery point. If you have home health care that helps you, they may take the material with them.

Yes, but you will be offered training when you leave the hospital on how to drain the fluid. One of our staff, or hospital personnel, will go through what you need to think about step by step. You will also receive information material on what you need to consider, so that you can review the information afterwards.

No, the drainage set can only be used once. For hygiene reasons and because of the risk of infection, they must not be reused.

After drainage, the used drainage material is disposed of in residual waste. Observe local waste regulations. Ask your healthcare provider how to handle the material if, for example, you are on chemotherapy or there is a risk of infection.

If, after drainage, your breathing is still not eased, you should contact your doctor. Your doctor knows your medical history and, after an examination, can explain why you are having trouble breathing.

If the colour or consistency of the fluid changes, it is not an acutely dangerous situation. Your treating doctor can explain the reason for this based on the course of your disease. However, if you get blood in the fluid, you should see your doctor immediately.

The skin suture (the suture furthest from the exit site of the catheter) can be removed after 10 days. The drain fixation suture (the suture at the exit site of the catheter) should remain in place for at least 30 days.

The clinic at the hospital where the catheter was inserted can remove the suture. But they can also be removed by home health care or a health care centre. If so, please bring our Patient and drainage information (Swedish) leaflet to show when to take the sutures.

In the first week, the dressing can remain for a week if it looks fine and there are no signs of infection. Then you should change the dressing at least twice a week. This is to detect a possible infection at an early stage.

You will find detailed descriptions under the heading Change dressing here on the website. Detailed descriptions are also available in our brochures and manuals. These can be found under Downloads.