Spontaneous fracture of the outlet catheter of a totally implanted catheter system (Port-A-Cath).

A case of spontaneous fracture of the outlet catheter of a totally implanted catheter system (Port-A-Cath) is presented. The outlet catheter was fractured at the entrance into the left subclavian vein twenty-one weeks after insertion and the distal part was embolized in the right ventricle. The embolized catheter fragment was retrieved by a 'goose-neck' snare via the right femoral vein. The awareness of a possible spontaneous fracture of the outlet catheter of a totally implanted catheter system (Port-A-Cath) is important to prevent accidental spillage of potent cytotoxic substances.