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Endoluminal Dilation Technique to Remove Stuck Port-A-Cath: A Case Report
Paolo Cerini1, Giuseppe Guzzardi1, Andrea Galbiati1
1Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, "Maggiore della Carità" University Hospital, Novara, Italy.
Insights
A stuck port-a-cath (central venous catheter) can be challenging to remove due to scar tissue. Endoluminal dilatation offers a novel technique for successful extraction of these difficult-to-remove devices.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Surgery
- Interventional Radiology
- Medical Device Technology
Background:
- Central venous catheters (CVCs), such as the port-a-cath, are essential for long-term venous access.
- Routine removal of CVCs is typically straightforward.
- Complications can arise, including adherence of the device to surrounding tissues due to scar formation.
Observation:
- Scar tissue formation around a port-a-cath can impede its removal, even with significant traction.
- This adherence presents a clinical challenge, potentially requiring more invasive procedures.
- A case of a port-a-cath resistant to standard removal techniques was encountered.
Findings:
- The endoluminal dilatation technique was successfully employed to extract a "stuck" port-a-cath.
- This minimally invasive approach addressed the tissue adherence issue.
- The procedure facilitated the removal of the impacted CVC.
Implications:
- Endoluminal dilatation may represent a viable alternative for managing difficult CVC removals.
- This technique could potentially reduce complications and patient discomfort associated with standard extraction methods.
- Further investigation into the application of endoluminal dilatation for CVC removal is warranted.
Abstract:
Port-a-cath is a type of central venous catheter (CVC) designed to allow repeated access to the venous system for parenteral delivery of medications, fluids, and nutritional solutions and for sampling venous blood. After years of use or in case of damage, CVC must be removed and eventually replaced: the recovery of the device should normally be easy, with a small surgical incision of the skin and tissues surrounding the device and pulling the catheter. Sometimes, scar tissue can develop around the device, making it resistant to removal even after application of forceful traction. We report a case of stuck port-a-cath that was extracted by using endoluminal dilatation technique.
