Unusual complications of the subcutaneous port catheter

Several complications following both implantation and long-term usage of port catheters have been documented in many reports. With this article, we want to report two rare complications of the port-a-cath.

Retrospective chart analysis was performed on 178 patients, who received a subcutaneous port catheter between 2002 and 2007. Patients who developed complications that were not common in the literature were selected.

During removal of the catheters, two appeared to be fractured at the level of the clavicle and the first rib. The two patients with split catheters were radiologically examined in the operation theatre to locate the distal part of the catheter. One of them was located in the inferior vena cava and the other in the sinus coronarius. Both catheter tips were removed with a snare under angiographic guidance. Another port catheter was removed due to malfunction and appeared to be deformed, probably due to improper usage of the port needles.

The final position of the port catheter should be radiologically verified before removal, with assistance of an interventional radiologist if necessary. The removed ports should be examined for any possible deformities and the oncology nurses should be instructed on how to use and take care of the port catheters.