Rocket Project 2
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The Impact of Rocket Indwelling Pleural Catheters on the terminal phase for patients with ascites secondary to cancer – a qualitative interview study of bereaved relatives
IRAS ID
249229
Contact name
Paul Perkins
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Gloucestershire Research Support Service
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Not yet allocated, Clinicaltrials.gov
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Ascites (accumulation of fluid in the abdomen) is a common problem leading to distressing symptoms. When caused by cancer, management options are chemotherapy, diuretics and ascitic drainage. Ascitic drainage is performed by inserting a plastic tube into the abdomen and draining fluid under local anaesthetic, removing the drain afterwards. For some, the fluid will return. A new treatment involves inserting a semi-permanent drain – a small plastic tube under the skin which is left in place so that the fluid can be drained if it builds up again. Afterwards, patients can have fluid removed at home. In Gloucestershire, the Rocket IPC is the semi-permanent drainage system of choice.
We recently completed the first qualitative interview study with patients with this condition – patients with ascites secondary to cancer. Patients were pleased to have semi-permanent drains as it meant that repeated hospital admissions were avoided.
There is some evidence that for patients with a poor prognosis even removal of small amounts of fluid can provide significant relief, perhaps because the abdomen is occupied by bulky tumour so that removal of only a small volume causes a significant fall in intra-abdominal pressure. Drainage of small volumes is more difficult and less safe in a community setting. Regular removal of small volumes is possible if a semi-permanent drain is in place, potentially allowing better symptom control for these patients.
We have looked after patients in the community who have had semi-permanent ascitic drains in place when they die. Drainage of fluid seemed to improve agitation in the last days of life. There have been no studies examining the role of semi-permanent ascitic drains in terminally ill patients determining whether drainage can help terminal agitation. We plan to interview bereaved relatives to find out whether semi-permanent drains helped patients to be more comfortable in the terminal phase.REC name
Wales REC 1
REC reference
18/WA/0246
Date of REC Opinion
9 Oct 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion