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Totally implanted device for long‐term intravenous chemotherapy: Experience in 123 adult patients with solid neoplasms
Author(s) -
Puigla Calle Jorge,
López Sánchez Santos,
Piedrafita Serra Encarnación,
Honorato Luis Allende,
Artigas Raventós Vicente,
Puig La Calle Jorge
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
journal of surgical oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.201
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1096-9098
pISSN - 0022-4790
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1096-9098(199608)62:4<273::aid-jso9>3.0.co;2-3
Subject(s) - medicine , complication , venous access , surgery , chemotherapy , jugular vein , vascular access , catheter , vein , hemodialysis
Vascular access in patients receiving prolonged chemotherapy is a difficult problem. This led to the introduction of a totally implanted device. We intend to assess the efficacy of this device in a subset of oncologic patients. Between May 1989 and November 1992, 129 devices were placed in 123 adult patients with solid neoplasms. Most of the catheters were inserted by cut‐down of the external jugular vein. Follow‐up period ranged from 28 to 70 months. Early complications occurred in 4 of 129 implants, all in percutaneously inserted catheters. Infection was the most frequent late complication. By March 1995, 113 devices had been removed, 15 (13.3%) because of complications. Mean life of the explanted systems was 512 days. Totally implanted devices provide safe and efficient long‐term venous access. Implantation should be performed by experienced surgeons, by cut‐down whenever possible. Infection is the most serious complication and may be prevented by careful management. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.