Evidence-based recommendations on inserting a pleuro-amniotic shunt to drain pleural effusions in a fetus during pregnancy. This involves inserting a drainage tube through the fetal chest wall into the pleural space, allowing fluid to drain into the amniotic cavity.

Is this guidance up to date?

NICE issued this guidance in September 2006. In accordance with the Interventional Procedures Programme Process Guide, guidance on procedures with special arrangements are reviewed 3 years after publication and the procedure is reassessed if important new evidence is available.

The guidance was considered for reassessment in September 2009 and it was concluded that NICE will not be updating this guidance at this stage. However, if you believe there is new evidence which should warrant a review of our guidance, please contact us at nice@nice.org.uk. The device used in this procedure does not have a CE mark for this indication.

Guidance development process

How we develop NICE interventional procedures guidance

Coding and clinical classification codes for this guidance.