Totally implanted device for venous access. Experience in tumour patients.

A device for central venous access consisting of a subcutaneous injection portal (Port-A-Cath) connected to a silicone rubber catheter was implanted in 30 tumour patients. The system was used mainly for the administration of antineoplastic drugs. During the investigation period (18 months) the systems remained in function for a median time of 155 days (range 7-372 days). Drug injections were given to 22/30 patients on a median of 11 occasions (range 2-65). Continuous infusions were administered to 17/30 patients for a median time of 15 days (range 1-43). Routine flushing with heparinized saline was performed monthly. Ten patients died with the system still functioning. In another 18 cases the devices were working at the completion of the study. One catheter extravasated. Skin erosion at the site of the portal occurred in 2 cases, in one of which the system had to be extracted. Partial caval thrombosis developed around a catheter tip in one case. No system became occluded or infected. Overall patient acceptance was excellent.