title: A risk-to-benefit analysis for central venous catheters.
abstract: Reliable venous access is an important consideration in the management of the cancer patient, where long-term intravenous therapy is needed. A single institution retrospective analysis of 205 catheter placements allowed comparison of different lines and techniques. This experience shows that surgical introduction under general anaesthetic of a double-lumen, 12 gauge, silastic catheter in the superior vena cava, via the internal jugular vein and using a 15 cm anterior chest wall tunnel, resulted in longest survival, fewest infections, and enjoyed a high patient acceptability. A substantial cost-saving, particularly in antibiotic usage, was observed as a result of the improved technique.
authors.affiliation: University of Cape Town Leukaemia Centre, Groote Schuur Hospital, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: du Toit
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kaftansky
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wood
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jacobs
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*