Percutaneous interventional radiologic implantation of intravenous port-catheter systems

Purpose: Percutaneous interventional radiologic and surgical techniques of port-catheter implantation are described and compared with regard to the technical procedure and results. Materials and methods: In 53 patients with various malignancies interventional radiologic implantation of po rt-catheter systems into the subclavian vein was performed to provide long-term intravenous access for chemotherapy. The technical procedure, operation time, complication rates and longterm patency were compared with those of surgically implanted systems. Results: Implantation was successful in all cases. Mean operation time was 36 min (range 20-55 min). Mean function time was 189 days (range 7-518). Primary patency rate was 92.5% with a total complication rate of 15% (8/53). In three patients (5.7%) pneumothorax was observed but did not require further treatment. In two cases (3.8%) local infection occurred,and in one patient (1.8%) a non-complicated wound dehiscence. In 12/53 patients (22.6%) the system was withdrawn. Among these, withdrawal was due to complications in 4/53 (7.6%) cases. Conclusions: Interventional radiologic implantation of long-term intravenous port-catheter systems is comparable to surgical placement with regard to both complication rate and long-term patency.