Chemoport-skin erosion: our experience

Area of Science:

• Medical Devices
• Oncology
• Surgical Complications

Background:

• Totally implantable venous access devices, or chemoports, are crucial for long-term chemotherapy administration.
• Skin erosion, a breach in the skin over the port septum, is a rare but significant complication.

Observation:

• This study details three cases of skin erosion associated with chemoport use.
• In all reported cases, the chemoports were surgically removed (explanted).

Findings:

• The primary finding is the occurrence of skin erosion in three patients undergoing chemotherapy via chemoports.
• Explantation of the device was necessary in all instances.

Implications:

• Proper surgical technique, including placing the skin incision away from the repeated access site, is vital.
• Minimizing repeated punctures at the same location on the port septum may decrease the risk of skin erosion and subsequent device failure.