Experience with the intravenous totally implanted port in patients with gynecologic malignancies

The purpose of this paper was to assess the intraoperative and long-term complications associated with intravenous totally implanted devices in women with pelvic cancers. Retrospective review of medical records was performed for 67 consecutive women with pelvic cancers who underwent port insertion. Seventy catheters were successfully placed in 67 patients. Pneumothorax occurred in three cases (4.3%), none requiring chest tube placement. Malposition of the catheter occurred in four patients (5.7%). Two infected ports (2.9%) were removed after a failed trial of antibiotics. Venous thrombosis developed in one woman, requiring removal of the system. In conclusion, semipermanent central venous catheters facilitate delivery of chemotherapy, parenteral nutrition, blood products, antibiotics, and hydration in cancer patients. This is the first report detailing the experience with a totally implanted subcutaneous port in patients with gynecologic malignancies. We demonstrate that such devices may be inserted and utilized with a low incidence of complications in this patient population.