Value of totally implantable central venous access ports

Objective To evaluate the application of totally implantable central venous access ports. Methods A retrospective a-nalysis of 217 cases was made on the application and complication of totally implantable central venous access ports from October 2003 to May 2008. Results Venous access ports, which were connected to central venous system via subclavian vein in 199 cases and jugularis interna vein in 17 cases, were implanted into subcutaneous of chest wall. The success rate of implantation was 99.6% (216/217). The ports worked well in 207 cases (95.8%), and 9 ports (4.2%) were removed due to complications. Associated complications included subclavi-ana arterial puncture in 3 cases (1.4%) and local hematoma in one patient. Ventricular tachycardia occurred in one patient due to catheter was inserted into the right ventricle (0.4%). Five patients had soft tissue infections around ports (2.3%) and the ports were removed in 2 eases due to anti-infections therapy failure. Catheter dislocation happened in 2 cases (0.9%). The catheter obstruction was observed as a complication, which comprised three instances of catheter distortion and three of catheter-associated venous thrombosis, the ports in these six patients were removed (2.8%). The overall complication was 7.8%. Conclusions Totally implantable central venous access ports can provide a long-term and safe intravenous access to patients who need long-term intravenous infusion, especially for cancer patients received chemotherapy. Although the operation is simple, there are some complications and need to be carefully monitored. Key words: Catheterization,central venous/MT