Use of totally implantable venous system in cancer patients. Surgical technique and initial clinical experience

The experience with a totally implanted venous system (TIVS) in 27 cancer patients (15 males and 12 women) is reviewed, stressing simplicity of the cut down technique, which was successfully performed in 92,7% of patients. The common: est complications are described; port infection (7,4%), subclavian vein thrombosis (3,7%), and cutaneous necrosis (3,7%) at the port level. It is concluded that TIVS is a useful device for prolonged drugs administration and the cut down technique is indicated expecially in the outpatients setting.