An 11-year retrospective study of totally implanted central venous access ports: Complications and patient satisfaction

Ignatov, A.; Hoffman, O.; Smith, B.; Fahlke, J.; Peters, B.; Bischoff, J.; Costa, S.-D.

doi:10.1016/j.ejso.2008.01.020

« Previous Next »European Journal of Surgical Oncology
Volume 35, Issue 3 , Pages 241-246, March 2009

An 11-year retrospective study of totally implanted central venous access ports: Complications and patient satisfaction

A. Ignatov
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Otto-von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
O. Hoffman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Otto-von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
B. Smith
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Otto-von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
J. Fahlke
- Department of General, Visceral and Vascular Surgery, Otto-von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
B. Peters
- Department of Biometrics, Otto-von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
J. Bischoff
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Otto-von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
S.-D. Costa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Otto-von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
- Corresponding author. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women's Clinic, Otto-von Guericke University, Gerhard-Hauptmann Strasse 35, D-39108 Magdeburg, Germany. Tel.: +49 391 671 7310; fax: +49 391 671 7311.

Accepted 19 January 2008.

Abstract

Aims

We wanted to assess the factors that predict complications and patient satisfaction of totally implanted central venous access ports (TIAP).

Methods

We reviewed 550 patients with breast or gynaecological malignancies who had initial port placement for chemotherapy between 1995 and 2006. We retrospectively assessed all TIAP complications, port duration and follow-up care until the TIAPs were removed (or the last known recorded documentation) or until the death of the patient. TIAP-related patient satisfaction was also assessed via a questionnaire-based survey of 356 patients.

Results

561 TIAPs were placed in 550 cancer patients (11 patients received 2 TIAPs during the study period); the median time of port duration was 22.5months. There were 104 complications in this group. Of these, 81 occurred during chemotherapy treatment that lasted a median time of 182days. Removal secondary to complication was observed in 48 cases. TIAPs placed on the left chest side, through the subclavian vein or with the catheter tip localized in the peripheral part of superior vena cava demonstrated the highest incidence of complications. Patients with a BMI >28.75 had an increased risk for developing complications. Our follow-up questionnaire revealed a 93% patient satisfaction rate with the TIAP.

Conclusions

Patients with left-sided ports, catheter tips lying in the upper part of the superior vena cava and implantation via the subclavian vein are at a higher risk for TIAP-associated complications. Being excessively overweight was assessed as another risk factor for developing complications. TIAPs are highly accepted and further recommended by patients.

Keywords: Totally implanted access ports, TIAP, Central venous access ports, Catheters, Venous access devices