[Transjugular implantation of venous port catheter systems]

Prospective analysis of success and complication rates of chest port implantation via the internal jugular vein.

In 50 consecutive patients (25 men, 25 women; mean age 61 +/- 14 years) the internal jugular vein was punctured under ultrasound guidance. Through this access, a port system was inserted and the catheter tip was placed at the cavoatrial junction. The port reservoir was implanted into a subcutaneous infraclavicular pocket and fixed to the fascia of the pectoralis muscle. Indications for port implantation were chemotherapy (n = 46), total parenteral nutrition (n = 2) or intravenous medication (n = 2).

A chest port catheter system was successfully implanted in all 50 patients. The mean duration of placement was 90 +/- 65 catheter days. No complications occurred during implantation. In the post-interventional period a single catheter dysfunction occurred (0.22 per 1,000 catheter days). Two local infections occurred in the early post-interventional period (0.43 per 1,000 catheter days). One port system had to be explanted prematurely due to pain.

The ultrasound guided puncture of the internal jugular vein enables a safe access for insertion of a central venous port catheter system and is associated with a very low complication rate. Port placement via this access vein should therefore be the primary treatment.