title: The mystery of the occluded port that allowed blood withdrawal: is it safe to use standard needles to access ports? A case report and literature review.
abstract: A frequent complication of totally implantable central venous access devices (TIVADs) is withdrawal occlusion. We describe a case of rare dysfunction of TIVADs: blood withdrawal was possible, whereas infusion was not. A further investigation demonstrated that during infusion, a silicone core, probably produced by hypodermic needle puncture, occluded the reservoir outlet hole. The silicone septum puncture by standard needles instead of non-coring ones may reduce the device effectiveness and expose patients to serious complications.
authors: Director of Anesthesia, Dept. of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, University-Hospital School of Medicine Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors: Rita
authors: R
authors: Cataldo
authors: Fabio
authors: F
authors: Costa
authors: Michelangelo
authors: M
authors: Vitiello
authors: Fabrizio
authors: F
authors: Brescia
authors: Paola
authors: P
authors: Proscia
authors: Clementina
authors: C
authors: Falco
authors: Massimiliano
authors: M
authors: Carassiti
mesh_terms: D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects; D004867:Equipment Design; D004868:Equipment Failure; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009339:Needles
keywords: catheter obstruction; implantable venous catheters; port; vascular access devices