[A study of infusional port re-insertion in patients with liver metastasis]

We evaluated the importance and usefulness of re-insertion of the intra-arterial infusion catheter in 10 patients with liver metastasis who showed problems in the catheter or system during intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy. The route of re-insertion was laparotomy-->left subclavian method in 3 patients, left subclavian-->left subclavian method in 5, and left subclavian-->femoral method in 2. The cause of re-insertion was dislocation in 5 patients, obstruction of the system in 4, and obstruction of CHA in 1. In the patients showing dislocation, re-insertion was performed after a mean of 4 months, and CEA improvement and direct effects evaluated by imaging techniques were marked, suggesting good indication. In the patients showing system obstruction or CHA obstruction, re-insertion was performed after a mean of 8.6 months, and CEA improvement and direct effects were less than those in the patients showing dislocation. Of the 10 patients who underwent re-insertion, 5 have survived to the present for 13-20 months (mean, 17 months). The prognosis of liver metastasis may be improved by active re-insertion of the intra-arterial infusion catheter.