Minimally invasive catheter implantation for regional chemotherapy of the liver: a new percutaneous transsubclavian approach.
OBJECTIVE
Development of a percutaneously implantable catheter system for regional chemotherapy of liver metastases and its application in patients with surgically implanted but dislocated catheters.


METHODS
Thirty-three patients with liver metastases of colorectal tumors were submitted to percutaneous puncture of the subclavian artery and insertion of a catheter whose tip was placed in the proper hepatic artery and whose end was subcutaneously connected with an infusion pump.


RESULTS
The mean duration of therapy via the percutaneously inserted catheter was 27 weeks (+/-14 weeks). The most frequent complication was disconnection of the therapy catheter from the tube of the infusion pump. Eighty percent of all complications were corrected by reintervention. The therapy drop-out rate due to catheter-associated complications was 9%.


CONCLUSIONS
Percutaneous insertion of a catheter for regional chemotherapy of the liver is a relatively uncomplicated method with high patient acceptance and simple access for reintervention.
Wacker
F K
FK
Department of Radiology, Benjamin Franklin University Hospital, Free University Berlin, Hindenburgdamm 30, D-12200 Berlin, Germany.
Boese-Landgraf
J
J
Wagner
A
A
Albrecht
D
D
Wolf
K J
KJ
Fobbe
F
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects; D010478:Chemotherapy, Cancer, Regional Perfusion / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006499:Hepatic Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D015918:Infusion Pumps, Implantable; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011677:Punctures / Q000379:methods; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D013348:Subclavian Artery