SUBCUTANEOUS INFUSION PORTS IN THE PEDIATRIC-PATIENT WITH HEMOPHILIA

Central venous access devices have become important tools in the manag ement of pediatric patients with malnutrition, malignancy, and infecti ons requiring long-term antibiotic treatment. Hemophilia presents a li fetime challenge for venous access and at times can be an urgent or li fe-threatening situation. Since 1986, the authors have implanted 11 su bcutaneous infusion ports in nine patients with hemophilia. The system s have remained in place for up to 7 years, without major complication s or problems. Two cath eters were replaced, after 4 and 6 years, beca use of skin erosion and blockage, respectively. One catheter was remov ed after 7 years because of blockage following local trauma and was no t replaced. A recent survey through the Canadian Hemophilia Centre Dir ectors Group obtained a further 45 subcutaneous infusion ports in othe r centers across Canada. The benefits of this system are overwhelming enthusiasm by the parents and children and no major complications. Som e of the patients are now HIV-positive and are able to use their syste m for ongoing drug therapy. Copyright (C) 1994 by W.B. Saunders Compan y