Comparison of totally implanted reservoirs with external catheters as venous access devices in pediatric oncologic patients.

Long term venous access devices have become an important part of the standard care for children with malignant diseases requiring chemotherapy. A prospective nonrandomized study was conducted between January 1985 and January 1987 examining complications, child and parental acceptance and costs between totally implantable venous access devices (ports) and externally exiting catheters. Fifty ports were placed in 49 patients who had a median age of ten years; median implant time was 350 days. Forty-one catheters were placed in 39 patients who had a median age of eight years; median implant time was 365 days. Both devices provided equivalent venous access. Although catheters were initially less expensive, the cost for both devices was comparable by the six month point. Beyond this time, an increasing savings was realized when the port was used. Catheter device complications occurred 14 times compared with seven with ports (p less than 0.02). There were 15 infectious complications with catheters compared with seven with ports (p less than 0.01). Child and parental acceptance questionnaires indicated that the ports were easier to care for and more readily accepted in children older than 11 years than were catheters (p less than 0.001). Totally implanted reservoirs are effective alternatives to external catheters for venous access in children with cancer.