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Indwelling Pleural Catheter (IPC)

What is an indwelling pleural catheter (IPC)?

An IPC is a soft, flexible tube used to drain fluid from the space between your lungs and rib cage (the pleural cavity). The tube goes under the skin with one end in the fluid and the other outside the chest. It has a one-way valve on it. The pleural fluid can be drained every so often into a bottle or bag. When not in use, it is capped off and covered with a dressing.

Why do I need an IPC?

You have a pleural effusion that is likely to come back. This fluid causes breathlessness. An IPC allows you to drain it regularly, usually at home, to relieve symptoms.

Do I have to have an IPC?

No - this is your choice. Your team will explain the possible benefits, risks and alternatives. This website has more information to help you decide Welcome to ‘My Pleural Effusion Journey’

What should I do before the procedure?

Tell your team if you take blood thinning medications (they may need to be stopped).  We will tell you when to stop and when to restart.

You can eat and drink and take your other medications as usual (unless told otherwise).

Please bring a medication/allergy list and glasses if needed.

What will happen on the day?

On the day of your procedure, you will usually be asked to come to Gate 20, Level 2 (medirooms) in the main Brunel Building at Southmead Hospital. 

  • The doctor will meet you before the procedure and you will have a chance to ask them questions. If you are happy to proceed, you will be asked to sign a consent form.
  • The procedure is usually done lying on your side. An ultrasound scan will find a safe site to put the drain.  You will receive local anaesthetic. This can sting for a short time before the skin becomes numb.
  • Two small cuts are made in your skin (around 1cm each and 5cm apart). You may feel pressure or pulling during the insertion procedure, but it should not be painful. 
  • Stitches are placed to hold the tube in place while it heals
  • The whole procedure normally takes 15 to 20 minutes and most people go home the same day.

What will happen after the procedure?

  • You will be offered painkillers if needed.
  • You will have a chest X-ray to check the drain position.
  • Most people can go home the same day.  If so, you will need someone to take you home (you shouldn’t drive on the day of the procedure).
  • You will usually be given an appointment to speak to a member of the team 2 to 3 weeks after the IPC has been inserted.

Who will drain the fluid at home and how often will this happen?

  • Regular IPC drainages are usually done by the district nurses. Your team will make sure they know when to start coming to your house. 
  • Once the IPC insertion site has healed, a friend or family member can also be trained to perform drainages if you wish.
  • Any stitches will need to be removed after 7 to 10 days. This is usually done by the district nurses.
  • Drainages usually start at 3 times per week, but this may be adjusted depending on how much fluid is coming out. 
  • Drainages usually last for 5 to 10 minutes. At the end of each drainage you will have a new dressing applied.
  • Your district nurses will keep a record of how much fluid is coming out and will inform the hospital team if your fluid dries up.

Looking after your IPC

  • The district nurses will also provide you with an information booklet about your IPC.
  • In general, you will need to:
    • keep the dressing clean, dry, and intact.
    • keep the area around the IPC dry for the first 4 weeks after insertion
  • Between drainages, keep the valve capped and the external tube coiled under the dressing.
  • If you develop fever, increasing pain, redness, swelling, leaking, or discharge at the site, let your district nurse or the hospital team know quickly. 
  • If you think the IPC is broken or is coming out (or it has come out) then seek urgent help.

Are there any risks with an IPC?

IPC insertion is a routine and safe procedure. However, like all medical procedures, there are some risks which are important for you to be aware of. The most common and most important risks include: 

  • Failure to insert the IPC: occasionally it is not possible to insert an IPC because there is not enough pleural fluid. We will use ultrasound to check this before the procedure.
  • Pain: after the procedure you may feel bruised or sore for about a week. This usually only needs simple painkillers like paracetamol to control.  Ongoing pain occurs in less than 1 in 100 patients.
  • Pain or dragging during drainage: can occur if the lung does not fully re‑expand. Draining slowly and stopping if uncomfortable usually helps.
  • Infection of the skin or fluid occurs in less than 1 in 20 people. Good sterile technique and hygiene during drainage reduces the risk. Most skin infections are treated with tablet antibiotics, but infection in the fluid may require intravenous antibiotics and possibly a stay in hospital. Removal of the IPC is rarely needed.
  • Dislodgement: this is rare. If you think the catheter has moved out of place, contact your team.
  • Bleeding: damage to a blood vessel during insertion causing serious bleeding occurs in less than 1 in 100 people. Rarely, this may need an additional procedure or a blood transfusion.
  • Loculations (pockets of fluid) may develop in less than 1 in 7 people. These can limit drainage and increase breathlessness.
  • If the IPC has been inserted for fluid due to cancer, tumour growth along the catheter track can occur in around 1 in 20 people (but usually after a few months). Report any new lump or pain around the catheter to the team.
  • Blockage from debris in the fluid occurs in less than 1 in 20 people. The team can usually unblock the catheter using simple measures like flushing with water.

How long will the IPC stay in? Will it stop draining?

  • The IPC is designed to stay in for as long as needed, as long as it is looked after properly.
  • About 1 in 5 (20%) of patients will stop producing fluid naturally within 12 weeks and can have the IPC removed.
  • If you have 3 drainages in a row of less than 50ml each, please contact the pleural nurses 
  • Some patients may be benefit from having medical talc powder injected into the IPC. Around 2 in 5 (40%) of IPC patients who receive talc will stop producing fluid within 6 weeks. Your doctor will discuss whether talc is the right treatment for you and will arrange this if necessary.

How is the IPC removed?

  • The decision to remove an IPC is made with your doctors. 
  • IPC removal is usually done as a day case procedure under local anaesthetic. 
  • It usually takes 5 to 10 minutes for an IPC to be removed but, in some cases, it may take longer. After the anaesthetic, you will usually only feel pushing and pulling during the procedure. 
  • 1 to 3 stitches will be usually be placed after IPC removal. These will need to be removed by the district nurses after 7-10 days.
  • There is a small risk of infection and bleeding after a removal. Very rarely, the IPC cannot be fully removed but, if this happens, it doesn’t usually cause long‑term problems. 
  • The area may feel sore or bruised for about a week and can be managed with simple painkillers.

Your feedback is encouraged 

If you have any questions or feedback for your team, please let them know. We are keen to make your procedure as straightforward and as comfortable as we possibly can. 

We will write down your appointment details for your IPC insertion or removal

  • Gate
  • On (date)
  • At (time) 
  • Medication changes

For any queries regarding the procedure, please call the pleural nurses on 0117 414 1027 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm).

Date published: 9 July 2026 Review due: 31 July 2029 PI number: BFT002498

Indwelling Pleural Catheter (IPC)