[Upper arm vein versus subclavian vein for totally implantable venous access ports for patients with gastrointestinal malignancy: a retrospective comparison of complications].

OBJECTIVE

To compare two different routes of totally implantable venous access ports (TIVPs) from the upper arm vein and the subclavian vein in terms of complications for patients with gastrointestinal malignancy.

METHODS

Patients who underwent implantations of TIVPs from September 2013 to January 2015 were retrospectively evaluated. The outcome measurements were rates and types of postprocedural early-stage and long-term complications.

RESULTS

A total of 208 patients(upper arm vein group, 86; subclavian vein group, 122) were included in this study. All TIVPs were implanted successfully. The rate of catheter displacement was higher in upper arm vein group(14.0% vs 5.7%, P=0.04), while other postprocedural early-stage complications had no significant difference between the two groups. The occurrence of transfusion obstacle and rates of overall postprocedural long-term complications were significantly lower in upper arm vein group than that in subclavian vein group(1.2% vs. 9.8%, P=0.02; 7.0% vs. 27.0%, P=0.01, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Compared with subclavian vein group, upper arm vein group has lower postprocedural long-term complication rates and is recommended as a safe and comfortable choice for port implantation.