Intravenous Port Catheter Implantation: Retrospective Study in Single Center Experience

Objective: Totally implantable venous access ports (TIVAPs) are widely preferred for oncology patients who need chemotherapy. Although peripheral cannula or catheter in a large vein may help chemotherapy treatment; some complications such as vascular irritation, thrombosis may interrupt the treatment. To avoid this interruption, TIVAPs are usually preferred. The aim of the study was to evaluate device related complications and safety with anesthesia team implanted TIVAPs. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted on patients who underwent procedure for implantation of TIVAPs in our hospital between the dates of January 2017 - December 2020. The demographic data, vascular access side, complications seen related to TIVAPs insertion procedure, the number of removed catheters, reasons of removal of catheters were recorded. Results: During this study period 700 TIVAPs procedure have been performed in our clinic. While 646 patients (92.3%) had right sided TIVAPs, 678 patients (96.8%) had TIVAPs inserted to subclavian vein. When the most common cancer seen in this patient group was colorectal cancer, hepatobiliary tract cancer group came second. Total number of removed catheters for some reasons was 107 which is 15.2% of all patients. When the causes for catheter removal were examined, it was discovered that although systemic infection was the most common reason (47 patients, or 6.7%), the number of patients with positive culture from the port was extremely rare (19 patients) (2.71%). Conclusion: We think that when TIVAPs are inserted under ultrasound guidance and fluoroscopy control in the operating room, the incidence of complications will be relatively low. Especially in cancer patients, TIVAPs can be inserted and used safely with high patient comfort. Keywords: Totally implantable venous access port systems, complications, patient safety, port infection