Implantable Central Venous Chemoport: Comparision of Results According to Approach Routes and Methods

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results and complications of placement of implantable port according to approach routes and methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between April 2001 and October 2002, a total of 103 implantable chemoport was placed in 95 patients for chemotherapy using preconnected type (n=39) and attachable type (n=64). Puncture sites were left subclavian vein (n=35), right subclavian vein (n=5), left internal jugular vein (n=9), right internal jugular vein (n=54). We evaluated duration of catheterization days, complications according to approach routes and methods. RESULTS: Implantable chemoport was placed successfully in all cases. Duration of catheterization ranged from 8 to 554 days(mean 159, total 17,872 catheter days). Procedure related complications occurred transient pulmonary air embolism (n=1), small hematoma (n=1) and malposition in using preconnected type (n=2). Late complications occurred catheter migration (n=5), catheter malfunction (n=3), occlusion (n=1) and infection (n=11). Among them 15 chemoport was removed (14.5%). Catheter migration was occured via subclavian vein in all cases (13%, p=.008). Infection developed in 10.7% of patients(0.61 per 1000 catheter days). There were no catheter-related central vein thrombosis. CONCLUSION: Implantation of chemoport is a safe procedure. Choice of right internal jugular vein than subclavian vein for puncture site has less complications. And selection of attachable type of chemoport is convenient than preconnected type. Adequate care of chemoport is essential for long patency.

Radiologic Placement of Implantable Chest Ports in Pediatric Patients Under Sedation

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the radiologic placement of implantable chest ports under intravenous sedation in pediatric patients with malignancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between October 2001 and June 2002, 20 chest ports were placed in 19 pediatric patients [13 boys and six girls aged 1-11 (mean, 4.7) years] for the purpose of long-term chemotherapy. In three patients, tunneled central venous catheters had been removed because of catheter extraction, infection, and tearing. Under intravenous sedation, the right internal jugular vein was used for access in 19 cases, and the left internal jugular vein in one. Venipucture was performed using a micropuncture needle with real-time ultrasound guidance. A port chamber was created at the infraclavicular fossa, and to prevent catheter kinking, a smooth-angled tunnel was created between the venipuncture site and the subcutaneous pocket. The catheter tip was positioned under fluoroscopy at the junction of the superior vena cava and right atrium. We observed techincal success, complications arouse during and after the procedure, and duration of catheter use. RESULTS: Implantation of the port system was successful in all cases, though slight hematoma, treated with manual compression, occurred at a chamber pocket in one case. In addition, the port system was removed from one patient because of wound infection leading to dehiscence and catheter malpositiong. A new port system was implanted through the left internal jugular vein. The median period during which catheter use was followed up was 118 (range, 18-274) days. CONCLUSION: For long-term chemotherapy in pediatric patients with malignancy, radiologic placement of an implantable chest port under intravenous sedation shows a high technical success rate, with few complications. This method may thus be used instead of surgical port placement.

Outcome of Tunneled Infusion Catheters Inserted via the Right Internal Jugular Vein

PURPOSE: To assess the outcome of tunneled central venous catheter placement via the right internal jugular vein. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between June 2001 and May 2002, 670 consecutive Hickman catheters were placed in 654 patients via the right internal jugular vein. The procedural complications arising and follow-up data obtained from May to July 2002 were evaluated. RESULTS: The technical success rate for catheter placement was 99.9% (669/670). Procedural complications were limited to eight cases (1.2%), including three pneumothoraces, one early migration of the catheter, one clinically unimportant air embolism, one catheter injury, one catheter kinking and one primary malpositioning in the azygos vein. Catheter dwelling time ranged from 1 to 407 (mean 107.1) days. During the follow-up period, 416 catheters were removed for various reasons: treatment had ended (n=334), patients declined treatment or their drug regimen was changed (n=16), late complications arose (n=53), or other circumstances intervened (n=13). Late complications included 44 cases of catheter-related infection (6.6%), five of catheter migration (0.7%), two of catheter occlusion (0.3%), one of thrombophlebitis (0.15%), and one of catheter-related right atrial thrombosis (0.15%). Only one instance of symptomatic venous thrombosis or stenosis was noted , namely the one case of thrombophlebitis. CONCLUSION: Because the incidence of subsequent symptomatic venous thrombosis or stenosis is lower, the preferred route for tunneled central venous catheter placement is the right internal jugular vein.

Central Venous Catheterization: Comparison between Interventional Radiological Procedure and Blind Surgical Procedure

PURPOSE: To determine the usefulness and safety of radiological placement of a central venous catheter by prospectively comparing the results of interventional radiology and blind surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For placement of a central venous catheter, the blind surgical method was used in 78 cases (77 patients), and the interventional radiological method in 56 cases (54 patients). The male to female ratio was 66:68, and the patients' mean age was 48 (range, 18-80) years. A tunneled central venous catheter was used in 74 cases, and a chemoport in 60. We evaluated the success and duration of the procedures, the number of punctures required, and ensuing complications, comparing the results of the two methods. RESULTS: The success rates of the interventional radiological and the blind surgical procedure were 100% and 94.8%, respectively. The duration of central catheterization was 3-395 (mean, 120) days, that of chemoport was 160.9 days, and that of tunneled central venous catheter was 95.1 days. The mean number of punctures of the subclavian vein was 1.2 for interventional radiology, and 2.1 for blind surgery. The mean duration of the interventional radiological and the blind surgical procedure was, respectively, 30 and 40 minutes. The postprocedural complication rate was 27.6% (37 cases). Early complications occurred in nine cases (6.7%): where interventional radiology was used, there was one case of hematoma, and blind surgery gave rise to hematoma (n=2), pneumothorax (n=2), and early deviation of the catheter (n=4). Late complications occurred in 32 cases (23.9%). Interventional radiology involved infection (n=4), venous thrombosis (n=1), catheter displacement (n=2) and catheter obstruction (n=5), while the blind surgical procedure gave rise to infection (n=5), venous thrombosis (n=3), catheter displacement (n=4) and catheter obstruction (n=8). CONCLUSION: The success rate of interventional radiological placement of a central venous catheter was high and the complication rate was low. In comparison with the blind surgical procedure, it is a very safe and useful method.

Evaluation of Anterior Chest Wall Implanted Port: Technical Aspects, Results, and Complications

PURPOSE: To evaluate the technical aspects, results and complications of patients with implanted anterior chest wall port. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between April 1997 and June 1999, a total of 63 implanted ports were placed at the anterior chest wall of 63 consecutive patients by interventional radiologists. The indications were chemotherapy in 61 patients and total parenteral nutrition in two. The peripheral portion of the subclavian vein was punctured under fluoroscopic guidance via ipsilateral peripheral vein during venography. A central venous catheter was placed in the superior vena cava, and using the subcutaneous tunneling method, a connected infusion port was implanted at the anterior chest wall. Results and complications were reviewed, and by means of Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, the expected patency of the port was determined. RESULTS: The technical success rate for implanted port at the anterior chest wall was 100%(63/63 patients). In two patients, hematoma and oozing were treated by compression. The duration of port implantation ranged from 12 to 855(mean, 187) days, and the port patency rate was 305.7 +/-47.6 days. In seven patients [completed chemotherapy (n=3), central venous thrombosis (n=3) catheter-related infection (n=1)], the port was re-moved. Catheter obstruction occurred in two patients, and in one, the use of urokinase led to successful re-canalization. Sixteen patients died of an underlying malignancy, but no catheter-related death was noted. CONCLUSION: Implantation of an anterior chest wall port is a safe and useful procedure, with long patency, for patients requiring chemotherapy and long-term venous access.

Interventional Radiologic Placement of Tunneled Central Venous Catheters: Results and Complications in 557Cases

PURPOSE: To evaluate prospectively the results of interventional radiologic placement of tunneled centralve-nous catheters, and subsequent complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between April 1997 and April 1998, a totalof 557 tunneled central venous catheters were percutaneously placed in 517 consecutive patients in aninterventional radiology suite. The indications were chemotherapy in 533 cases, total parenteral nutrition in 23and transfusion in one. Complications were e-valuated prospectively by means of a chart review, chest radiography,central vein angiography and blood/catheter culture. RESULTS: The technical success rate for tunneled centralvenous catheter placement was 100% (557/557 cases). The duration of catheter placement ranged from 4 to 356 (mean,112 +/-4.6) days; Hickman catheters were re-moved in 252 cases during follow-up. Early complications included 3cases of pneumothorax(0.5%), 4 cases of local bleeding/hematoma(0.7%), 2 cases of primary malposition(0.4%), and 1case of catheter leakage(0.2%). Late complications included 42 cases of catheter-related infection(7.5%), 40 casesof venous thrombosis (7.2%), 18 cases of migration (3.2%), 5 cases of catheter / pericatheter of occlusion(0.8%),and 1 case of pseudoa-neurysm(0.2%) . The infection rate and thrombosis rate per 1000 days were 1.57 and 1.50,respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The technical success rate of interventional radiologic placement of tunneled centralvenous catheters was high. In comparison to conventional surgical placement , it is a more reliable method andleads to fewer complications.