An 11-year retrospective study of totally implanted central venous access ports: complications and patient satisfaction.

AIMS: We wanted to assess the factors that predict complications and patient satisfaction of totally implanted central venous access ports (TIAP).
METHODS: We reviewed 550 patients with breast or gynaecological malignancies who had initial port placement for chemotherapy between 1995 and 2006. We retrospectively assessed all TIAP complications, port duration and follow-up care until the TIAPs were removed (or the last known recorded documentation) or until the death of the patient. TIAP-related patient satisfaction was also assessed via a questionnaire-based survey of 356 patients.
RESULTS: 561 TIAPs were placed in 550 cancer patients (11 patients received 2 TIAPs during the study period); the median time of port duration was 22.5 months. There were 104 complications in this group. Of these, 81 occurred during chemotherapy treatment that lasted a median time of 182 days. Removal secondary to complication was observed in 48 cases. TIAPs placed on the left chest side, through the subclavian vein or with the catheter tip localized in the peripheral part of superior vena cava demonstrated the highest incidence of complications. Patients with a BMI >28.75 had an increased risk for developing complications. Our follow-up questionnaire revealed a 93% patient satisfaction rate with the TIAP.
CONCLUSIONS: Patients with left-sided ports, catheter tips lying in the upper part of the superior vena cava and implantation via the subclavian vein are at a higher risk for TIAP-associated complications. Being excessively overweight was assessed as another risk factor for developing complications. TIAPs are highly accepted and further recommended by patients.