Guidewire assisted cephalic vein cutdown for insertion of totally implantable access ports.
BACKGROUND
Totally implantable access ports (TIAP) placed by the cephalic vein cutdown technique have high failure rates.


METHODS
We describe a guidewire assisted technique of the cephalic vein cutdown for TIAP placement that can be easily introduced catheter when difficulties in insertion of the catheter. The key point of the presented technique is the use of J guidewire to go beyond the stenosis and advancement of catheter through the guidewire into the superior vena cava.


RESULTS
We used this technique for introducing the catheter in six patients without failure or complication.


CONCLUSIONS
The presented technique is easy and simple. It can be used where there are difficulties in insertion of the catheter by cephalic vein cutdown method.
Chang
H M
HM
Department of Surgery, Division of General Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Nei Hu, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
Hsieh
H F
HF
Hsu
S D
SD
Liao
G S
GS
Lin
C H
CH
Hsieh
C B
CB
Yu
J C
JC
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D013350:Subclavian Vein; D016748:Venous Cutdown
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents