Experience with an implantable venous access system for chemotherapy.

Seventy-one patients receiving prolonged outpatient chemotherapy for solid tumours had a totally implanted venous access system inserted (Port-A-Cath--Pharmacia). These remained in situ for a mean of 278 days. In 98.6% of patients the catheter functioned throughout treatment. This high reliability reflects low rates of sepsis (11%) and occlusion (1.4%). Six catheters were removed because of complications; for sepsis (2), catheter occlusion (1), erosion (2), and wound dehiscence (1). An implanted system may be more economical than external exiting systems for patients requiring a catheter for longer than two months despite a high capital cost, because of lower costs during use. The Port-A-Cath is safe, reliable and acceptable to patients.