title: Prospective evaluation of a totally implantable drug delivery system. Improved results at 4-year follow-up.
abstract: Totally implantable drug delivery systems have facilitated chemotherapy in cancer patients. The incidence of complications has been acceptable but not optimal. A series of 140 consecutive implants over a 4-year period is presented. The total follow-up was 41,185 days. Reversible obstruction was present in 12.8% of portals. The infection-erosion rate was 4.2%; only 6.3% of patients required removal of the system because of failure. In the last 111 patients only one device failed (0.9%). The reasons for these improved results are analysed, and recommendations are made to improve the current management of these devices.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Camp Hill Medical Centre, Halifax, NS.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Del Campo
authors.forename: V W
authors.initials: VW
authors.lastname: Ing
authors.forename: O H
authors.initials: OH
authors.lastname: Millard
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: MacDonald
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004867:Equipment Design; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015918:Infusion Pumps, Implantable; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents