Peripheral infusion ports for central venous access in patients with gynecologic malignancies.

During treatment for gynecologic malignancies, many patients require frequent or prolonged intravenous access. Implantable permanent venous access devices are useful in assuring adequate access and improving quality of life. A new technique for central venous access by peripheral placement of a subcutaneous infusion port was evaluated in 18 women undergoing treatment for gynecologic malignancies. Patients were followed prospectively with a mean follow-up of 105 days. Six catheters required removal because of complications, including 1 patient with a catheter site infection and 5 patients (26%) with catheter-related thrombosis. Although the rate of immediate insertion-related complications was low, the incidence of deep venous thrombosis was markedly increased over that reported with other central venous access devices.