[Surface changes of intravenous catheters after antineoplastic chemotherapy]

During long-term venous catheter implantation, septic and thrombotic complications are quite frequent. In the case reported, the failure of systemic and local antibiotic therapy during repeated septicaemia due to Bacillus cereus at the time of intensive chemotherapy led to a scanning electron microscopy study of the used silicone catheter. There were marked changes of the inner surface with a lot of cellular remains, in contrast with the usual non thrombogenic property of the silicone. An in vitro study was carried out with antitumour agents. Duration of exposure and drug concentration were identical to those used in in vivo perfusions. There were marked changes of the inner surface, which could lead to important modifications of the properties of the silicone. The damage depended on the drug. Silicone was slightly sensitive to vicristin and carmustin, but highly sensitive to cisplatin and doxorubicin. The compatibility of catheter material with the drugs used, especially for oncologic chemotherapy, must be tested systematically.