title: [Usefulness and indications for Port-a-Cath in children with acute leukemia].
abstract: Duration of treatment for acute leukemia is as long as 2 years. During this time, venous punctures are repeated every few days. The Port-a-Cath system allows a long-lasting but intermittent venous access. Since March 1987, 11 Port-a-Cath systems have been implanted in 11 children (age 3 to 14) with the diagnosis of high risk acute leukemia (9 ALL and 2 AML). The facial vein has been used in five instances, the external jugular vein in five, and the jugular vein in one case. Ten systems have had a good function. Seven are still in use, and the duration ranges from 450 to 47 days. Two children died because of their disease, their catheters still functioning. Two systems have been withdrawn, one for incorrected location and the other for cutaneous necrosis of the puncture site. Two more children developed reversible thrombosis. The Port-a-Cath system is useful in children affected by high risk acute leukemia, ameliorating their life quality and avoiding the need for repeated vein punctures.
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Parri
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rovira
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Sancho
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Julia
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Albert
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Morales
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007951:Leukemia, Myeloid / Q000628:therapy*; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000628:therapy*
vernacular_title: Utilidad e indicaciones del Port-a-Cath en niños afectos de leucemia aguda.