Implanting totally implantable venous access port via the internal jugular vein guided by ultrasonography is feasible and safe in patients with breast cancer

• Published in: World journal of surgical oncology 2014-12, Vol.12 (1), p.378-378, Article 378
• Main Authors: Zhou, Jie, Qian, Shikun, He, Weixing, Han, Guodong, Li, Hongsheng, Luo, Rongcheng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols - therapeutic use; Breast cancer; Breast Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Breast Neoplasms - drug therapy; Breast Neoplasms - pathology; Breast Neoplasms - surgery; Cancer therapies; Care and treatment; Catheterization, Central Venous - methods; Catheters; Catheters, Indwelling; Chemotherapy; Feasibility Studies; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Hospitals; Humans; Jugular Veins - diagnostic imaging; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Staging; Parenteral Nutrition; Patients; Prognosis; Radiation therapy; Retrospective Studies; Safety; Statistical analysis; Survival analysis; Survival Rate; Ultrasonic imaging; Ultrasonography; Ultrasound imaging; Veins & arteries; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1477-7819; 1477-7819
• DOI: 10.1186/1477-7819-12-378

Because of long-term use for chemotherapy and fluid administration in cancer patients, a totally implantable venous access port (TIVAP) has been advised as a feasible catheter. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of ultrasound (US)-guided internal jugular vein (IJV) puncture for TIVAP implantation in patients with breast cancer. We reviewed the medical records of 492 patients who underwent US-guided IJV puncture for TIVAP implantation at our oncology department between 2010 and 2013. Indications, surgical complications, and early and long-term complications were analyzed. All TIVAPs were implanted successfully. Indications for TIVAP were chemotherapy alone (88 patients), chemoradiotherapy (387 patients), surgery (12 patients), and parenteral nutrition (5 patients). Complications were observed in 65 (13.21%) patients. The median duration of the TIVAP was 359 days (range, 28 to 712 days) without damage to the port or catheter, or leakage of drugs outside of the port system. A TIVAP can be employed for chemotherapy and parenteral nutrition on the implantation day. Using a US-guided IJV puncture to completely implant a TIVAP is feasible and safe in patients with breast cancer.