Percutaneous implantation of arterial port-a-cath via trans-subclavin access

Background: Hepatic artery infusion is the best choice of treatment for col orectal liver. metastases, but it could be suggested for other hepatic tumo rs or locally advanced pancreatic cancel: The need of a laparotomy for the positioning of the arterial catheter has been the limiting factor for the d iffusion of regional treatments. Materials and methods: 170 patients suffer ing from primary or secondary liver tumours and pancreatic or bile ducts ca ncer, underwent the positioning of intra-arterial hepatic port-a-cath by a transcutaneous subclavian access in local anaesthesia. In 163 patients, a c atheter was placed into the hepatic artery, 4 into the splenic and 3 into t he gastroduodenal artery. Results: The procedure was performed successfully in all patients. We observed 5 aneurysms of the subclavian artery and 9 th rombosis of the hepatic artery. Only in 7 patients was arterial infusion su spended for technical complications. We observed 10.6% of dislocation, but dislodged catheters were always moved again into the hepatic artery. Conclu sions: The development of percutaneous techniques of arterial port-a-cath i mplantation could enlarge the indication of regional chemotherapy.