The purpose of a drainage catheter is to drain a collection of fluid in your body. When this fluid is infected, it is called an abscess. … If the fluid is not infected, you may or may not have symptoms. A drainage catheter is inserted through the skin and into the area where fluid has collected.

The pigtail catheter offers reliable treatment of pneumothoraces and simple effusions and is a safe and less invasive alternative to tube thoracostomy.

It is called a pigtail because it is curved on the end (like a pig’s tail). The curve helps keep the drain in place. These catheters may be used to drain abscesses, pleural effusions, hydronephrotic kidneys, etc. Some ureteral stents are pigtail-type catheters.

Features

• Superior kink resistance, large lumen
• Nitinol reinforcement
• Superior kink and crush resistance
• Enhanced axial strength
• Smooth lubricious surface
• Thin wall, large lumen
• Large inner diameter may allow for higher flow rates
• Experience the benefits of bags