title: [Implantable catheter systems. Experiences with 1000 patients with central venous ports].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess retrospectively duration of functioning and rate of complications of a totally implantable venous access system used for long-term chemotherapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 1985 and 1993, a central venous access system (Port-a-Cath) had been implanted subcutaneously for long-term chemotherapy in 1000 patients (479 males, 521 females; mean age 49 [15-86] years). Follow-up observations lasted until the end of the chemotherapy or the removal of the system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean time of functioning of the catheter system was 284 (2-1563) days. The complication rate was 12.8%: catheter infection in 4.9% and catheter thrombosis in 3.2%. A further 4.7% of patients had less common complications (malfunction, catheter dislocation, skin necrosis, catheter break or disconnection, pneumothorax). A total of 119 (11.9%) systems had to be removed because of complications. The rates of infection and of other complications were significantly lower in patients with solid tumours (2 and 4%, respectively) than in those with haematological disease (6 and 8%) (P < 0.05 for each).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Totally implantable venous access systems are suitable for long-term chemotherapy and cause few complications.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Allgemeine Chirurgie, Chirurgische Klinik und Poliklinik, Universität Essen.
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kock
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Krause
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pietsch
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rasfeld
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Walz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006402:Hematologic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies
vernacular_title: Implantierbare Kathetersysteme. Erfahrungen bei 1000 Patienten mit zentralvenösen Ports.