Incidents involving implantable catheter ports, in 1996/1998: analysis of the data base of the French Health Ministry.

We analyse all incident reports to the French Health Ministry over the 1996 -1998 period, concerning implantable catheter ports. They represent 7% of a ll reports in the field of anaesthesia and intensive care. Two hundred elev en reports have been analysed. There were 93 catheter ruptures with 77 intr avascular migrations. In more than 50% of cases, a pinch-off syndrome mecha nism was responsible of these ruptures and a displacement of the O'ring was involved in 25%. Additional minor complications were reported and discusse d in regard to literature. We conclude that implantable catheter ports may lead to serious incidents which are preventable in most cases. (C) 2000 Edi tions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.