EXPERIENCE OF AN INTRAVENOUS THERAPY TEAM AT THE INSTITUTO-NACIONAL-DE-CANCEROLOGIA (MEXICO) WITH A LONG-LASTING, LOW-COST SILASTIC VENOUS CATHETER

Means of vascular access are fundamental in the management of cancer. However, since current intravenous devices for long-term treatment are expensive and necessitate a high degree of education among medical pe rsonnel, in developing countries they are impractical for use in most of the population. We describe the use of a nontunneled, low-cost, lon g-lasting Silastic catheter (LLSC), cared for by an intravenous therap y team (IVTT), in 462 patients with cancer. The rate of infectious com plications was 0.66 infections per 1,000 catheter-days, which is as lo w as that reported in association with other catheters in developed co untries. Neutropenia and skin and/or soft-tissue infections were signi ficant risk factors associated with LLSC-related infections. We believ e that use of this catheter may be an alternative for patients with ca ncer who need chemotherapy, as long as an IVTT is established for its care. Our experience could be useful for practitioners in countries wi th similar socioeconomic characteristics.