FLUOROSCOPICALLY GUIDED IMPLANTATION OF SUBCUTANEOUS VENOUS PORTS - COMPLICATIONS AND LONG-TERM RESULTS

Purpose: Evaluation of technical success rate, long-term outcome and i nitial complication rate in patients with fluoroscopically guided port implantation. Material and Methods: Between January 1994 and April 19 97 124 ports were implanted under fluoroscopic guidance in 120 patient s. Indications for port implantation were anti-cancer chemotherapy, an tibiotic and supportive therapy in patients with tumours or cachexia. Results: Implantation was technically successful in 98.4% of the patie nts. We had a 3.2% minor complication rate that did not necessitate fu rther treatment. One pneumothorax required a chest tube (0.8%). During a total of 17534 days, complications occurred in 10.8% of all ports. 6.9% of the ports had to be explanted because of these complications. Conclusions: Insertion of ports under fluoroscopic guidance has a low complication rate and good long-term results. The rate of 93.1% of fun ctioning ports is superior to that reported in other studies. It is le ss costly and has a lower complication rate than surgical implantation . Therefore it seems to be the method of choice for patients requiring long-term subcutaneous venous access for chemotherapy or supportive t herapy in malignant tumours or other emaciating diseases.