COMPLICATIONS OF LONG-TERM DRAINAGE OF FETAL PLEURAL EFFUSION - CASE-REPORT AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Severe fetal pleural effusion and ascites in the second trimester are associated with poor prognosis. We present a case where long-term drai nage of several pleural effusion by a double reverse pig tail stent wa s achieved. Although the ultimate outcome was successful, complication s seen in this case include accidental placement of the proximal openi ng of the catheter, first into the myometrium, then between amnion and chorion; development of oligohydramnios; intrathoracic migration of t he catheter. Review of the literature reveals a multitude of other com plications associated with this procedure, specifically difficulties a t the time of placement and failure of function due to obstruction, mi gration of the catheter, or removal by the fetus, It is important to c onsider these complications in the counseling and management of the pa tients. Ongoing research is required to further improve the design of the catheters.