Subcutaneous venous port catheter insertion through subclavian vein on 770 patients: do the catheter type and the...

The aim of this study was to present our clinical experience in patients undergoing subcutaneous venous port catheter (SVPC) placement through subclavian vein for chemotherapy.

We retrospectively investigated 770 patients undergoing SVPC placement. Two different catheters were used (polyurethane [n = 100, 13%] and silicone [n = 670, 87%]). Port reservoir (PR) was placed by removing subcutaneous fatty tissue equivalent to the resevoir size (n = 220, 29%), or buried directly under fatty tissue (n = 550, 71%). Results and complications according to catheter types and placement techniques were investigated.

There were 59 complications (7.7%). Port-site infection and wound dehiscence were higher when the reservoir was placed after removing subcutaneous fatty tissue (p < 0.05). Port-site infection, wound dehiscence, subclavian vein thrombosis, and catheter occlusion were common in polyurethane catheters (p < 0.05). Of 192 patients who were followed-up (mean 18 months), SVPC was removed in 25% due to the death of the patients (n = 100), completion of treatment (n = 87), and development of complication (n = 5).

During SVPC insertion, the placement of PR under the adipose tissue and preferring silicone catheters may reduce the complication rates.