title: Totally implantable venous access port systems and risk factors for complications: a one-year prospective study in a cancer centre.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Totally Implantable Venous Access Port Systems (TIVAPS) are widely used in oncology, but complications are frequent, sometimes necessitating device removal and consequently delays in chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to investigate possible risk factors for morbidity.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 815 consecutive cancer patients (median age: 56.2 years [0.8-85.2]; 522 female) were enrolled in this observational, single-centre study between May 2nd 2006 and April 30th 2007. TIVAPS implantation involved principally cephalic or external jugular vein access. Patients were followed up for one year unless the device was removed earlier.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall morbidity rate was 16.1% (131/815). Complications necessitated device removal in 55 patients a mean of 3.7 months [0.2-12.0] after implantation. These comprised TIVAPS-related infection (19), port expulsion (14), catheter migration (6), venous thrombosis (5), mechanical problems (3), skin disorders (2), pain (2), drug extravasation (2) infection unrelated to TIVAPS (1) and inflammation (1). No patient died during the study. The factor most strongly predictive of complications was the interval between insertion and first use of the TIVAPS, ranging from 0 to 135 days (median: 8.0 days). The morbidity rate was 24.4% when this interval was 0-3 days, 17.1% when it was 4-7 days and 12.1% when it exceeded 7 days (p < 0.01; Chi(2) test). The median interval was 6 days (0-53) and 8 days (0-135), respectively, in patients with and without complications (p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To reduce complications, an interval of at least 8 days between placement of the TIVAPS and its first use may be advisable.
authors.affiliation: Centre Régional de Lutte Contre le Cancer Oscar Lambret, 3 rue Frédéric Combemale, BP 307, 59020 Lille Cedex, France. f-narducci@o-lambret.fr
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Narducci
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jean-Laurent
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Boulanger
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: El Bédoui
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mallet
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Houpeau
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hamdani
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Penel
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fournier
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D002173:Cancer Care Facilities; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D020878:Device Removal; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D015918:Infusion Pumps, Implantable / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents