title: A single-incision technique for placement of implantable venous access ports via the axillary vein.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the technical feasibility and safety of a single-incision technique for placement of implantable venous access ports via the axillary vein.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ports were placed in 216 patients between May and October 2012 using a single-incision technique via the axillary vein. Patients included 112 men and 104 women with a mean age of 58.2 years. After making a single vertical incision without subcutaneous tunneling, ports were placed via the left axillary vein in 172 patients and via the right axillary vein in 44 patients. Axillary vein punctures were directed medially at the incision site under ultrasound guidance. We retrospectively reviewed success rates, technical difficulties, procedure times, and immediate and delayed complications of the procedure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All single-incision port placements were technically successful. Technical difficulties occurring during the procedure included advancement of the wire or catheter into an unintended vein (n = 33), kinking at the cuff-catheter junction (n = 13), bleeding via the puncture tract (n = 5), bending of the peel-away sheath (n = 3), and puncture of the axillary artery (n = 3). All technical problems were overcome with additional manipulation. The only immediate complication was puncture site hematoma in two patients. The mean follow-up period was 165.7 days, and there were no reports of port malfunction. Axillary vein thrombosis was observed in one patient.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The single-incision technique for placing ports via the axillary vein was a feasible and safe procedure with high technical success and low risk of complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University Guro Hospital, #148, Gurodong-ro, Guro-gu, Seoul 152-703, Korea. Electronic address: g1q1papa@korea.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Tae-Seok
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University Guro Hospital, #148, Gurodong-ro, Guro-gu, Seoul 152-703, Korea.
authors.forename: Myung Gyu
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University Guro Hospital, #148, Gurodong-ro, Guro-gu, Seoul 152-703, Korea.
authors.forename: Eun-Young
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University Guro Hospital, #148, Gurodong-ro, Guro-gu, Seoul 152-703, Korea.
authors.forename: Chang Hee
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University Guro Hospital, #148, Gurodong-ro, Guro-gu, Seoul 152-703, Korea.
authors.forename: Hwan Seok
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Yong
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University Guro Hospital, #148, Gurodong-ro, Guro-gu, Seoul 152-703, Korea.
authors.forename: KyungWon
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Doo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001367:Axillary Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D062905:Central Venous Catheters; D004867:Equipment Design; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007601:Jugular Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010690:Phlebography / Q000379:methods; D011677:Punctures; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional; D055815:Young Adult