Long-term experience with a totally implanted catheter system in gynecologic oncologic patients

A significant number of gynecologic oncologic patients require intravenous chemotherapy. Peripheral venous access frequently becomes difficult, necessitating reliable central venous access. This study was done to retrospectively review our experience with completely implanted venous access ports (ports). There were 100 women from 1984 to 1992 who received 115 ports. These ports remained in situ on average 350 +/- 2.3 days for a total of 110 patient years; 38 ports were in place for more than one year. An average of six courses of chemotherapy were given through each port. There was no statistically significant difference demonstrated in the complication rate secondary to site or side of placement (p = 0.5). Catheter performance in 77 percent of the patients was impeccable. We conclude that implantable ports are a safe and reliable method of chronic venous access in gynecologic oncologic patients requiring intravenous chemotherapy. Although ports reduce the number of complications and manipulations associated with percutaneous catheters, they are not devoid of problems.