Evaluation of a totally implanted venous access port and portable pump in a continuous chemotherapy infusion schedule on an outpatient basis

In this study we evaluated the feasibility of a totally implanted vascular access port (VAP) and portable infusion pump for cytostatic drug administration on an outpatient basis, in a 21-day continuous infusion schedule with 4-epidoxorubicin (phase I and phase II study) and mitoxantrone (phase I study). Patients were instructed to dissolve their own drugs at home. Fifty patients were treated with 114 cycles (2394 infusion days). The complication rate was low. In one patient thrombosis of the subclavian and superior caval vein resulted in the termination of treatment. One patient developed pulmonary embolism during treatment. Needle dislocation was observed in two patients. No septicaemia and no irreversible catheter occlusion were seen. Pump functioning was efficient and pump arrest (9 X) never lasted longer than 24 h. We conclude that a VAP and portable pump are a safe and reliable route of administration for cytostatic drugs on an outpatient basis and that patients are capable of preparing their own drugs at home without increase of complications.