Pinch-Off Syndrome, a Rare Complication of Totally Implantable Venous Access Device Implantation: A Case Series and Literature Review

BACKGROUND: Pinch-off syndrome (POS) is a rare complication after totally implantable venous access device (TIVAD) implantation. In cancer patients, it is important to prevent this rare complication and to recognize it early if it does occur. We present a case series of POS after TIVAD implantation and the results of a literature search about this complication. METHODS: From July 2006 to December 2015, 924 permanent implantable central venous catheter implantation procedures were performed. The most common indication was vascular access for chemotherapy. RESULTS: POS occurred in 5 patients in our clinic. Two patients experienced POS within 2 weeks, and the other 3 patients were admitted to department of surgery, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine at 6 to 14 months following implantation. The catheters were found to be occluded during medication administration, and all patients complained of serious pain. The transected fragments of the catheters had migrated to the heart. They were successfully removed under angiography with a single-loop snare. CONCLUSION: POS is a serious complication after TIVAD implantation. It is important to be aware of this possibility and to make an early diagnosis in order to prevent complications such as drug extravasation and occlusion events.

Prevention of pinch-off syndrome in postoperative complications of totally implantable central venous access ports / 国际外科学杂志

Objective To evaluate the occurrence and prevention of pinch-off syndrome in post-operative complications of totally implantable central venous port.Methods From October 2003 to September 2016,628 cases underwent implantable central venous port via the subclavian vein using the landmark venipuncture technique.From February 2014 to September 2016,106 cases underwent implantable central venous port gaining subclavian venous access.Retrospective analysis of two groups of pinch-off syndrome after totally implantable central venous port.Results pinch-off syndromne were not found in the uhrasound-guided group,pinch-off syndrome occurred in 9 patients of 628 cases underwent implantable central venous port via the subclavian vein using the landmark venipuncture technique during follow-up period.Conclusions Subclavian venous access cannulation on the lateral side of mid-clavicular line by ultrasound guidance was found to be associated with absence of pinch-off syndrome.This method appears to reduce or prevent pinch-off syndrome occurrence after implantable central venous port,therefore improving the safety of the long-term management of implantable central venous port.

Pinch-off syndrome / 대한외과학회지

Subclavian venous catheterization was previously frequently performed, but because of life-threatening complications such as hemothorax, pneumothorax, mediastinal hematoma, and myocardial injury, its use has become less common. However, this practice has some advantages in patient mobility, secured dressing, and rapidity and adequacy of vascular access. In some situations where patient comfort is an especially important consideration, such as with totally implantable venous port insertion for chemotherapy, the subclavian route can be a good choice if an experienced and well-trained faculty is available. The authors have had recent experience with pinch-off syndrome-in other words, spontaneous catheter fracture-in 3 patients who had undergone venous port implantation through the right subclavian route. Through these cases, we intend to review the dangers of subclavian venous catheterization, the causes of pinch-off syndrome, and its clinical presentation, progress, treatments, and prevention.

Two Cases of Fractured and Embolized Implanted Central Venous Chemoports in Lung Cancer / 결핵및호흡기질환

Totally implanted central venous access devices for chemotherapy (chemoport) are being used increasingly in lung cancer patients. Vascular catheters are associated with various complications including infection, thrombosis as well as spontaneous fractures and embolization of the catheter, which is known as 'pinch-off syndrome'. 'Pinch-off syndrome' refers to the compression of a subclavian central venous catheter between the clavicle and first rib resulting in an intermittent or permanent obstruction, which can lead to tears, transection, or embolization. We report two cases of fractured and embolized implanted subclavian venous catheters in which the fragments were removed percutaneously. A 62-year-old man presented with back pain with a duration of a few weeks. The chest radiograph revealed complete transsection and embolization of the catheter into the right atrium. In addition, a 47-year-old woman with a chemoport had a grade 3 pinch-off sign in a chest radiograph demonstrating complete transsection and embolization of the catheter into the pulmonary artery. Both cases were managed by retrieving the embolized distal fragment percutaneously and removing the proximal section of the catheter.