title: Catheter fracture of intravenous ports and its management.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Intravenous ports are widely used for oncology patients. However, catheter fractures may lead to the need for re-intervention. We aimed to identify the risk factors associated with catheter fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between January 1 and December 31, 2006, we retrospectively reviewed the clinical data and plain chest films of 1,505 patients implanted with an intravenous port at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. Different vascular sites were compared using the chi-square or Fisher's exact test for categorical variables, and the t test was used for continuous variables with normal distribution; P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 59 and 1,448 procedures in the fracture and non-fracture groups, respectively. Monovariate analysis revealed that the risk factors for catheter fracture were as follows: large angle (P < 0.0001), female gender (P < 0.0008), subclavian route (P < 0.0001), and port type Arrow French (Fr.) 8.1 (P < 0.0001). Because these risk factors showed no interaction effects, they were all considered independent risk factors. When all factors were considered together, all risk factors, except angle and age, retained their statistical significance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most catheter fractures were caused by material weakness. If catheter fracture is confirmed, further intervention for port and catheter removal is recommended. Female gender, intravenous port implantation via the subclavian route, and the Arrow Fr. 8.1 port were found to be risk factors. Patients with these risk factors should be monitored closely to avoid catheter fractures.
authors: Division of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University, 5 Fu-Shing Street, Kweishan, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan, People's Republic of China.
authors: Ching-Yang
authors: CY
authors: Wu
authors: Jui-Ying
authors: JY
authors: Fu
authors: Po-Hao
authors: PH
authors: Feng
authors: Tsung-Chi
authors: TC
authors: Kao
authors: Sheng-Yueh
authors: SY
authors: Yu
authors: Hao-Jui
authors: HJ
authors: Li
authors: Po-Jen
authors: PJ
authors: Ko
authors: Hung-Chang
authors: HC
authors: Hsieh
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004868:Equipment Failure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors