RADIOLOGICAL INSERTION OF AN IMPLANTABLE DRUG-DELIVERY SYSTEM

A fully implantable drug delivery system has been shown to overcome ma ny of the problems of long-term venous access. Traditionally these hav e required surgical implantation but we describe a simple, cost-effect ive and successful technique for the percutaneous insertion of an impl antable vascular device (Vascuport, Ohmeda) in the angiography suite u nder local anaesthesia. It was successful in all 19 patients in whom i t was attempted, with only one minor complication. We recommend that t he procedure should be performed in X-ray departments using screening and conventional guidewire techniques.