5 YEARS EXPERIENCE OF PAS PORT INTRAVENOUS ACCESS SYSTEM IN ADULT CYSTIC-FIBROSIS

An implantable venous access system provides a reliable and painless e ntry site for intravenous treatment, This study reports the authors' e xperience with such a system in adult patients with cystic fibrosis, S ixty five (87%) of 75 PAS Ports were placed successfully in 57 patient s with cystic fibrosis, Because of early difficulties in advancing the catheter in patients whose veins had been traumatized by repeated cou rses of intravenous antibiotics, a technique was developed whereby ven ous entry was gained by direct subclavian puncture. This catheter inse rtion method was used in 53 (82%) attempts and the catheter was then p assed by subcutaneous tunnelling to the port site on the ventral aspec t of the upper arm. Fifty seven (88%) insertions were successful under local anaesthetic. The major early and late complications mere iatrog enic pneumothorax (sir; cases) and infection (five cases), respectivel y, Late complications were more common when there was coexisting disea se, e,g. diabetes mellitus, or an acute severe respiratory exacerbatio n, or when the Port was used for parenteral feeding. In conclusion, th e PAS Port can be inserted safely by direct subclavian puncture, It wa s well tolerated and universally liked by the patients.