Case report; effective community palliation of intractable malignant ascites with a permanently implanted abdominal drain.

A patient with intractable malignant ascites from metastatic tabular breast carcinoma underwent insertion of a Tenckhoff catheter in July 1997. Seventeen months later the patient continues to have excellent symptomatic relief, without complications, by self-drainage of ascites at home. Tenckhoff catheter can be useful in the management of intractable malignant ascites.