PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Thorpe, Kirsty AU - McKnight, Jamie AU - Kolb, Hildegard AU - McCullough, Claire AU - Morgan, Tim TI - 2 Tunnelled peritoneal catheters for recurrent ascites in a specialist palliative care unit AID - 10.1136/spcare-2021-PCC.2 DP - 2021 Mar 01 TA - BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care PG - A1--A1 VI - 11 IP - Suppl 1 4099 - http://spcare.bmj.com/content/11/Suppl_1/A1.2.short 4100 - http://spcare.bmj.com/content/11/Suppl_1/A1.2.full SO - BMJ Support Palliat Care2021 Mar 01; 11 AB - Introduction NICE recommend the use of tunnelled peritoneal catheters (TPCs) for individuals with malignant ascites likely to require repeated paracentesis for symptom palliation. TPCs can avoid significant fluid build-up, improve quality of life (QOL) and reduce hospital admissions. TPCs are not commonly considered for patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD). In NHS Grampian, TPCs are inserted by Palliative Medicine consultants in Roxburghe House Specialist Palliative Care Unit.MethodsRetrospective data collection and analysis for patients who underwent TPC insertion in Roxburghe House between 2014–2019Patient outcomes were assessed. The number of temporary drains/hospitaladmissions prevented by TPC insertion was estimated.Results 96 patients had a TPC inserted in Roxburghe House between 2014–2019. Diagnosis: 83% malignancy, 11% cirrhosis, 6% malignancy & cirrhosis. TPC remained in place for a mean of 67 days (64 in malignant, 90 in cirrhotic) with a range of 2–287 days. Mean time from procedure to death was 67 days (65 in malignant, 100 in cirrhotic). 33% died within 1 month of TPC insertion, although this group had no adverse prognostic indicators.9% had major complications (systemic infection, possible perforation, bleed).8% had minor complications (local infection, dislodgement).Complications rates were lower in the cirrhotic population.An estimated 301 temporary drains were prevented by TPC insertion. The averageadmission for temporary drain was 6 days, equating to 1,806 days in hospital saved.Conclusions TPC insertion is an effective management option for palliative patients with refractory ascites, and reduces hospital admissions in the last months of life. Although NICE guidance recommends TPC only for malignant ascites, this study shows low complication rates in the cirrhotic population. TPC should therefore also be considered for patients with ESLD who are ineligible for liver transplant. Further work is required to assess the impact of TPCs on QOL.