Our central venous port catheter system practice - a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate indications for insertion, complications and indications of central venous port catheters, and to identify indications for their removal. METHODS: The retrospective study was conducted at Okmeydani Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey, and comprised data from January 2006 to June 2014 of patients who had central venous port catheters. The indications for removal of the catheters were also evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 1198 patients whose records were reviewed, 605(50.5%) were women and 593(49.5%) were men. The overall mean age was 52.3±12.78 years. Of the total, 1142(95.33%) cases related to chemotherapy treatment. There were 127(10.6%) complications; the most common being catheter occlusion 46(36.2%). The catheters were removed in 182(15.2%) patients. Among them, 83(45.6%) catheters were removed because they were no more needed. CONCLUSIONS: In the light of the findings, there is a need for standardised guidelines for evaluation before central venous port catheter insertion and follow-up after insertion to detect and to avoid possible complications.

Growth of Microorganisms in Propofol and Mixture of Propofol, Lidocaine and Fentanyl.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the growth of microorganisms in propofol when combined with fentanyl and lidocaine in different temperatures and times in order to find out whether there is any improvement in antimicrobial effect to lengthen the safe duration of time for application of propofol. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Istanbul Aydin University Laboratory, Istanbul, Turkey, from June to September 2018. METHODOLOGY: The studied drugs and thier combination was used to determine their effect on bacterial growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans and Acinetobacter baumanni. Bacterial solutions were prepared at 0.5 MacFarland in sterile 0.9% physiological saline and diluted at 1:100 concentration. Colony numbers were measured as colony forming units mL-1 at 0, 8, and 24 hours and at 4oC, 22oC and 37oC. RESULTS: In general, propofol supported the growth of microorganisms. Fentanyl with propofol also promoted the growth, especially in room and body temperature at 8th and 24th hours but when combined with lidocaine, the number of CFUs was reduced significantly compared with propofol + fentanyl group. Lidocaine inhibited the growth of microorganisms in all the solutions except for candida albicans. CONCLUSION: Lidocaine was shown to have antibacterial effect which carries advantage for inhibiting infections due to propofol; but aseptic technique is essential during preparation of propofol infusions. Fentanyl like propofol also promoted the growth at room and body temperatures.