Administering intraperitoneal chemotherapy using a peritoneal port

The IP access provided by the relatively closed system using subcutaneous portals linked to the Tenckhoff catheter has revolutionized the clinical approach to intra-abdominal tumors, especially to ovarian cancer. The development of totally implanted peritoneal access ports that diminish the risk of infection and the design of treatment regimens that do not require drainage of the drugs from the peritoneal cavity after instillation have reduced the technical complexity of IP therapy. This treatment approach is safe and can be easily administered by trained oncology nurses and physicians in an outpatient setting. The success of a program for IP chemotherapy depends on a reliable and safe access to the peritoneal cavity, such as the port. Because of the port, during the past 13 years IP chemotherapy has developed into an effective treatment, especially for ovarian cancer patients with small volume disease following laparotomy. Nurses have played a major role in the development of this treatment modality. They have become quite skillful in making assessments and intervening with appropriate nursing measures to ensure that a highly specialized and complex procedure is managed safely. Further clinical nursing research will improve the administration process of IP therapy and ultimately will improve the quality of life for patients.