[Implantable catheter systems. Experience with 205 patients]

Area of Science:

• Medical Devices
• Surgical Oncology
• Infection Control

Background:

• Implantable central venous access devices are crucial for long-term therapies.
• Standardization of devices and surgical techniques may impact complication rates.
• Port-a-Cath systems are commonly used for venous, arterial, and epidural access.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the complication rate of Port-a-Cath systems over a five-year period.
• To identify specific catheter types associated with higher complication risks.
• To assess the impact of a uniform implantation technique and postoperative care on safety.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 205 patients receiving Port-a-Cath implants between 1983 and 1988.
• Data collection included implant type (venous, peritoneal, arterial, epidural, pleural), duration, and complications.
• Analysis focused on overall complication frequency and specific infection rates.

Main Results:

• A total of 88,345 patient days (242 patient years) were analyzed.
• An average complication rate of one event per 2000 patient days was observed.
• Catheter-system infections were exclusively documented in peritoneal catheters.

Conclusions:

• The use of a single Port-a-Cath system and a uniform implantation technique by a limited surgical team contributed to a low complication rate.
• Strict postoperative supervision by oncology nurses appears to be a key factor in maintaining device safety.
• Peritoneal catheters represent a higher risk for catheter-system infections compared to other implant types.