[Failure to Remove Long-Term Indwelling Central Venous Catheters in Two Patients]

The use ofa central venous(CV)port system has become common for the treatment of patients with tumors. We report on the failure to remove CV catheters in 2 patients. The first patient was a 50 years woman with acute myeloid leukemia. She underwent CV port implantation via the left brachial approach 11 years previously. The second patient was an 80 years man with a lower gingival carcinoma. He underwent CV port implantation via the left brachial approach 6 years previously. CV catheter removal was attempted in both patients, but was unsuccessful because of strong adhesion to the vessel wall. Based on our experience, if catheter removal is impossible, its retention is more suitable.