title: Patients' experience of portacaths in cystic fibrosis: questionnaire-based study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Portacaths are regularly used in children with cystic fibrosis (CF). We aimed to assess patient satisfaction with lateral chest wall portacaths in children with CF.
  
  
  METHODS
  All children in a geographical region with CF and portacath in situ were identified. Site of chest wall placement was identified on X-ray; only children with lateral chest wall portacaths were sent questionnaires. Data collected included preoperative information, cosmesis and interference with activities.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 46 patients identified, 42 had lateral chest wall ports. 25 of this 42(60%) submitted their questionnaires. 22(88%) were happy with preoperative information although only 8(32%) recall being offered choice of position. 23(92%) were satisfied with cosmesis. 2 patients reported problems with physiotherapy only with indwelling needles. 6(24%) patients had problems with clothing, 7(32%) with sports and 3(12%) with seatbelts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lateral chest wall portacaths are cosmetically acceptable. Impact on daily activities is less common than that reported with anterior chest wall placement.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Surgery, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: Lynne A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: McIntosh
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Surgery, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: Gregor M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Walker
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003020:Clothing; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012138:Respiratory Therapy; D012606:Scotland; D012622:Seat Belts; D013177:Sports; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Cystic Fibrosis; implantable; patient satisfaction; portacath