The correlation between subcutaneous fat thickness and the incidence of chemoport-related infection

Abstract

Background

This study aimed to examine the correlation between subcutaneous fat thickness and chemoport-related infection and to determine the risk factors that lead to complications associated with chemoport.

Methods

This study retrospectively reviewed 363 patients with chemoport insertion between May 2018 and May 2022. The patients were classified into three groups, with 121 patients in each group, based on the tertiles of subcutaneous fat thickness measured in the computed tomography (CT) scan. The incidence of short-term and long-term complications, including dislocation, infection, and malfunction, were obtained and compared between the three groups. The risk factors of chemoport-related complications were analysed in multivariate analysis.

Results

The incidence of infection in the low, middle, and high subcutaneous fat thickness groups were 1.7%, 3.3%, and 0%, respectively (P = 0.131). No short-term complications occurred in this study group. After one year of follow-up, 11 patients (3.0%) had long-term complications; 6 patients (1.7%) developed chemoport infection, while five patients (1.4%) had chemoport dislocation. In multivariate analysis, the risk of dislocation was significantly higher when insertion was performed via the left internal jugular vein (OR = 9.87, P=0.033).

Conclusions

The thickness of subcutaneous fat does not significantly correlate with the incidence of chemoport infection, and placement of the port on the left side of the chest wall via the left internal jugular vein is the risk factor for chemoport dislocation.