Comparison of outcomes for chemo-port implantation performed in the operating room and interventional radiology suite: a retrospective observational study.

Purpose: Chemo-port insertion is performed by a radiologist or surgeon in an interventional radiology (IR) suite or an operating room (OR). The complication rate is approximately 3%-4%. However, there is still a lack of data for comparison when it is performed in different conditions such as IR suite and OR.

Methods: This study is for the safety of adult cancer patients after chemo-port implantation by comparing postoperative complication types and rates in different places. Among 375 patients who underwent chemo-port implantation, 203 patients underwent chemo-port implantation by radiologists in an IR suite, and 172 patients underwent the procedure by general surgeons in an OR. In both groups, early and late mortality were investigated. Early and late complication types and rates were also compared, and our study results were compared to the literature.

Results: Patients' characteristics showed no differences. Mortality after the procedure was 39 in OR vs. 72 in IR (P < 0.01). Early mortality at 7 days was 1 in IR, no patient in OR (P = 0.36). Catheter problems did not show a statistical difference in these 2 groups (1.16% vs. 0.49%, P = 0.47). Venous thrombosis happened in 4 and 7 (2.33% vs. 3.45%, P = 0.13), and the central line bloodstream infection was in 5 patients and 6 patients (2.91% vs.. 2.96%, P = 0.98), respectively. Skin problems were 6 and 7 (3.49% vs. 3.45%, P = 0.98). Port site infection happened in 6 patients in each group (3.49% vs. 2.96%, P = 0.77).

Conclusion: Chemo-port implantation can be performed in OR or IR without difference in complication rates.