title: Port needles: do they need to be removed as frequently in infusional chemotherapy?
abstract: Protracted chemotherapy regimens are new treatment modalities used to treat patients with cancer. These treatments are preferred because of the ease of administration and limited side effects in the outpatient setting. Sixty patients were treated with continuous infusion chemotherapy via implanted infusion ports at Marmara University Hospital Outpatient Chemotherapy Unit in Istanbul, Turkey, from January 2000 to December 2001. Although usage of Huber needles for central venous catheters was limited to between 48 and 72 hours, needles were not removed unless there were signs of inflammatory reaction. The needles remained in place for 28 days (1-49 days) on average. No catheter infections, signs of local irritation, or thrombus formation were observed despite prolonged stay of the Huber needles. Huber needles can be left in place up to several weeks without any untoward effects as long as proper aseptic technique is used.
authors.affiliation: Outpatient Chemotherapy Unit, Marmara University Hospital, Tophanelioglu C, 13/15 Altunizade, Uskudar, 81190 Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ayla
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karamanoglu
authors.forename: P Fulden
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Yumuk
authors.forename: Mahmut
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gumus
authors.forename: Meltem
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ekenel
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aliustaoglu
authors.forename: Deniz
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Selimen
authors.forename: Meric
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sengoz
authors.forename: N Serdar
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Turhal
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015400:Clinical Nursing Research; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D020878:Device Removal / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009339:Needles / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000379:methods; D010689:Phlebitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D017592:Skin Care / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D013997:Time Factors; D014421:Turkey
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents