On October 14, Foshan Fosun Chancheng Hospital (hereinafter referred to as Foshan Chancheng Hospital), under Fosun Health Group, hosted the “GBA New Vitality, Bright Future Ahead” PleurX Launch Ceremony, officially announcing the first-ever clinical application of the PleurX™ Indwelling Pleural Catheter (IPC) System in mainland China through the Hong Kong–Macao Medicine and Equipment Connect policy.

Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is a common and debilitating complication among cancer patients. It often leads to breathing difficulties and limited mobility, with fluid reaccumulating repeatedly. Traditional treatment requires frequent hospital visits for thoracentesis (fluid drainage)—a painful process that also carries a high risk of infection.

According to epidemiological data, MPE accounts for 23.7% of all pleural effusion cases in China, affecting a large number of patients every year. The limitations of conventional treatments have long called for innovation.

About the PleurX™ System

The newly introduced PleurX™ Indwelling Pleural Catheter (IPC) System features a minimally invasive design. It can be implanted under local anesthesia without the need for hospitalization.

Once in place, the catheter allows for long-term, at-home fluid management, sparing patients from repeated needle punctures and hospital visits. By reducing skin exposure and procedural frequency, the system greatly lowers infection risks, achieving the clinical goal of “one-time implantation, long-term benefit”.

In September, the hospital successfully performed the procedure on a breast cancer patient. The patient’s breathing improved significantly after surgery, and her quality of life increased markedly.

“Previously, frequent punctures and infection risks were major concerns for both patients and doctors”, said Dr. Song Changshan, Director of Thoracic Surgery at Foshan Chancheng Hospital.

“The PleurX system has solved that problem—patients no longer need to visit the hospital repeatedly and can safely manage their condition at home. This marks a new step forward in clinical care”.

The hospital also emphasized that when introducing and applying innovative drugs and medical devices, it strictly follows the clinical guidelines of Hong Kong and Macao as well as international standards.

“For example, in the case of a breast cancer patient who developed pleural effusion, our hospital convened a multidisciplinary team and an expert review committee to conduct thorough discussions and evaluations before introducing the new therapy. This ensures that the treatment offers both safety and real therapeutic benefits to the patient”, said Dr. Zhong Guanghua, Director of the Oncology Department at Foshan Chancheng Hospital.

So far, Foshan Chancheng Hospital has successfully introduced 38 internationally innovative drugs and medical devices across cardiovascular, spinal, orthopedic, and oncology fields.

These treatments have already benefited over 900 patients, helping the hospital build strong expertise in global clinical applications and establish an efficient model for the introduction and localization of international medical technologies.

Dr. Liang Shuzhen, Vice President of Foshan Chancheng Hospital, noted that the successful introduction of the PleurX system required close coordination across multiple sectors, from overseas procurement and customs clearance to secure storage and clinical delivery.

“Every step was carefully managed to ensure the device’s safety and timely arrival for clinical use,” Dr. Liang said.

“Moving forward, we plan to expand professional training and data collection to strengthen localized clinical experience and bring this technology to more patients with malignant pleural effusion in mainland China.”