title: Experience with an implantable venous access system for chemotherapy.
abstract: Seventy-one patients receiving prolonged outpatient chemotherapy for solid tumours had a totally implanted venous access system inserted (Port-A-Cath--Pharmacia). These remained in situ for a mean of 278 days. In 98.6% of patients the catheter functioned throughout treatment. This high reliability reflects low rates of sepsis (11%) and occlusion (1.4%). Six catheters were removed because of complications; for sepsis (2), catheter occlusion (1), erosion (2), and wound dehiscence (1). An implanted system may be more economical than external exiting systems for patients requiring a catheter for longer than two months despite a high capital cost, because of lower costs during use. The Port-A-Cath is safe, reliable and acceptable to patients.
authors.affiliation: Oncology Department, Auckland Hospital.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pettengell
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: V J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Harvey
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000191:economics; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015918:Infusion Pumps, Implantable / Q000191:economics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents