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The correlation between subcutaneous fat thickness and the incidence of chemoport-related infection
Thanaphon Khongyut1, Tanapong Panpikoon1, Chinnarat Buangam1
1Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Insights
Subcutaneous fat thickness did not correlate with chemoport infection rates. Left internal jugular vein insertion increases chemoport dislocation risk.
Area of Science:
- Medical devices
- Surgical complications
- Patient safety
Background:
- Chemo-ports are essential for long-term intravenous access in cancer patients.
- Complications associated with chemo-ports can impact patient treatment and outcomes.
- Understanding risk factors for chemo-port complications is crucial for improving patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between subcutaneous fat thickness and chemo-port related infections.
- To identify risk factors contributing to chemo-port complications, including dislocation, infection, and malfunction.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 363 patients with chemo-port insertion (May 2018-May 2022).
- Patients stratified into three groups based on subcutaneous fat thickness tertiles measured by CT scan.
- Analysis of short-term and long-term complication incidence and multivariate analysis of risk factors.
Main Results:
- No significant correlation found between subcutaneous fat thickness and chemo-port infection incidence (1.7% low, 3.3% middle, 0% high thickness).
- Overall long-term complication rate was 3.0% after one year, including 1.7% infection and 1.4% dislocation.
- Left internal jugular vein insertion was a significant risk factor for chemo-port dislocation (OR=9.87, P=0.033).
Conclusions:
- Subcutaneous fat thickness is not a significant predictor of chemo-port infection.
- Chemo-port placement via the left internal jugular vein is associated with an increased risk of dislocation.
- Further research may explore other anatomical or procedural factors influencing chemo-port outcomes.
Background:
This study aimed to examine the correlation between subcutaneous fat thickness and chemoport-related infection and to determine the risk factors that lead to complications associated with chemoport.
Methods:
This study retrospectively reviewed 363 patients with chemoport insertion between May 2018 and May 2022. The patients were classified into three groups, with 121 patients in each group, based on the tertiles of subcutaneous fat thickness measured in the computed tomography (CT) scan. The incidence of short-term and long-term complications, including dislocation, infection, and malfunction, were obtained and compared between the three groups. The risk factors of chemoport-related complications were analysed in multivariate analysis.
Results:
The incidence of infection in the low, middle, and high subcutaneous fat thickness groups were 1.7%, 3.3%, and 0%, respectively (P = 0.131). No short-term complications occurred in this study group. After one year of follow-up, 11 patients (3.0%) had long-term complications; 6 patients (1.7%) developed chemoport infection, while five patients (1.4%) had chemoport dislocation. In multivariate analysis, the risk of dislocation was significantly higher when insertion was performed via the left internal jugular vein (OR = 9.87, P=0.033).
Conclusions:
The thickness of subcutaneous fat does not significantly correlate with the incidence of chemoport infection, and placement of the port on the left side of the chest wall via the left internal jugular vein is the risk factor for chemoport dislocation.
