title: Nonsurgical percutaneous retrieval of dislodged Port-A catheters from pulmonary artery in children.
abstract: A total of 110 central venous access procedures using Port-A catheters were performed in our center for pediatric patients with oncologic or hematologic diseases over a period of 6 years from November 1994 to June 2000. Spontaneous dislodgement of the outlet catheters was noted in two cases. Both dislodged catheters were located in the left pulmonary artery and were successfully retrieved via the right femoral vein by nonsurgical transvenous snares. Awareness of the possibility of spontaneous catheter dislodgement and embolization of Port-A catheters is important as prompt retrieval will prevent further serious complications. When the procedure is performed by an open surgical method, to reduce the possibility of spontaneous catheter dislodgement, the use of a guidewire is recommended while a Port-A catheter is being inserted into the subclavian vein.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Jiunn-Ren
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Jong-Hau
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: Tai-Tsung
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Zen-Kong
authors.initials: ZK
authors.lastname: Dai
authors.forename: Chu-Chong
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Ding-Kuo
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D002648:Child; D020878:Device Removal / Q000379:methods*; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011651:Pulmonary Artery; D011859:Radiography