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Updated: May 2, 2026
Computed Tomography (CT) Guided Implantation of a Totally Implantable Venous Access Port (TIVAP) through Subclavian Vein
Published on: January 13, 2026
Clinical predictors of port infections within the first 30 days of placement
Ravinder Bamba1, Jonathan M Lorenz1, Allison J Lale1
1Department of Radiology, University of Chicago Medical Center, 5841 South Maryland Avenue, MC 2026, Chicago, IL 60637.
Purpose:
To identify risk factors for port infections within 30 days of placement.
Material And Methods:
A retrospective chart review of port placements from 2002-2009 was conducted. Patients who had port removals secondary to infection within the first 30 days of placement were included. This group of patients was compared with a control group of patients with ports with no evidence of infection. For every one patient with a port infection, two control subjects were chosen of the same gender and new port placement during the same month as the corresponding patient with an infected port.
Results:
From 2002-2009, 4,404 ports were placed. Of the 4,404 patients, 33 (0.7%) were found to have a port infection within 30 days of placement. Compared with the control group, the early infection group had a higher prevalence of leukopenia (21.2% vs 6.1%, P = .039) and thrombocytopenia (33% vs 12%, P = .0158). There was also a higher prevalence of an inpatient hospital stay during port placement and high international normalized ratio in the early infection group.
Conclusions:
Low preoperative white blood cell and platelet counts were risk factors for early infection. Abnormal coagulation profiles and inpatient access of ports after placement could be additional risk factors.
Insights
Low white blood cell and platelet counts are significant risk factors for early port infections. Inpatient access and abnormal coagulation also increase infection risk following port placement.
Area of Science:
- Medical devices
- Infectious diseases
- Oncology
Background:
- Port placement is common in patients requiring long-term intravenous access.
- Port infections can lead to significant morbidity and treatment delays.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify risk factors associated with port infections within 30 days of placement.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of 4,404 port placements from 2002-2009.
- Inclusion of patients with port removal due to infection within 30 days.
- Comparison with a control group of patients without port infection.
Main Results:
- 33 patients (0.7%) experienced early port infections.
- Early infection group showed higher prevalence of leukopenia (21.2% vs 6.1%) and thrombocytopenia (33% vs 12%).
- Inpatient hospital stay during placement and high international normalized ratio were also more common in the early infection group.
Conclusions:
- Low preoperative white blood cell and platelet counts are identified as risk factors for early port infections.
- Abnormal coagulation profiles and inpatient access of ports post-placement may also contribute to infection risk.
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