Is there any effect of first-day usage of a totally implantable venous access device on complications?

Our aim was to evaluate whether it is safe to use a totally implantable venous access device (TIVAD) on the day of implantation.

We investigated data from 1315 cancer patients divided into two groups according to the time interval between TIVAD placement and the first use of the TIVAD to adminster chemotherapy: patients whose devices were used during the first 24 h after placement were enrolled into group 1 and patients whose devices were first used more than 24 h after device placement were enrolled into group 2.

Early complications were all related to device insertion and occurred before chemotherapy administration. Infection and venous thrombosis were the most frequent complications during the first 6 months after TIVAD insertion in both groups. However, the frequency of late complications was statistically the same for the two groups.

The early use of TIVADs appears safe. Usage of the catheter for chemotherapy administration during the first 24 h after insertion has no effect on the rate of complications.