Implantable venous access device: use in patients with advanced head and neck cancer

As a result of prolonged hospitalizations and the frequent administration of sclerosing antibiotics and/or chemotherapeutic agents, vascular access frequently becomes difficult in patients with advanced head and neck carcinoma. Eighty-six totally implantable venous access devices were placed in 83 patients with advanced head and neck cancer to facilitate the administration of continuous intravenous infusion chemotherapy. Complications relating to surgical placement or usage of the device occurred in 29 of 86 ports (34%), leading to the removal of eight devices (9%). The implantation of two devices required revision. There were no serious sequelae from any of the complications. The port facilitated the administration of home chemotherapy in 11 patients. Because of our favorable experience, we now routinely recommend placement of these devices to all patients with advanced head and neck cancer at our institution.