A prospective observational study on 249 subcutaneous central vein access ports in a Swedish county hospital. (June 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Taxbro, Knut; Berg, Sören; Hammarskjöld, Fredrik; Hanberger, Håkan; Malmvall, Bo-Erik
• Is Part Of: Acta oncologica. Volume 52:Number 5(2013)
• Page Start: 893
• Page End: 901
• Publication Date: 2013-06
• Subjects: Oncology -- Periodicals; Cancer -- Treatment -- Periodicals; 616.992
• DOI: 10.3109/0284186X.2013.770601
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0284-186X

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Background</italic>. Reliable central vein access is a fundamental issue in modern advanced oncological care. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of complications and patient perception regarding central vein access ports. <italic>Methods.</italic> We prospectively studied 249 single lumen access ports implanted between 1 July 2008 and 15 March 2010 in a mixed patient population at a 500-bed secondary level hospital in Sweden. We determined the number of catheter days, infection rate and mechanical complications, as well as patient satisfaction regarding the access port, over a six-month follow-up period. <italic>Results.</italic> Two hundred and forty-four different patients received 249 ports yielding a total of 37 763 catheter days. Ultrasound and fluoroscopic guidance was used in 98% of procedures. Vein access was obtained percutanously by an anaesthesiologist in all cases. There was no case of pneumo- or haemothorax. The incidence of catheter-related bloodstream infection, was 0.05/1000 catheter days and the incidence of pocket/tunnel infection was 0.39/1000 catheter days. Clinically apparent deep vein thrombosis occurred in four patients (1.6%). Patient satisfaction was overall high. <italic>Conclusion.</italic> These results confirm that our team-based approach with written easily accessible evidence-based guidelines and a structured education programme leads to a very low complication rate and a high degree of patient satisfaction.</p> </abstract>