• Cheng-Chung Cheng, Tsung-Neng Tsai, Chung-Chi Yang, and Chih-Lu Han.
• Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
• Eur J Radiol. 2009 Feb 1; 69 (2): 346-50.

ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical presentation of dislodged totally implantable central venous access system (central venous port-catheter) fragments and the efficacy and safety of percutaneous retrieval of them in our hospital.Materials And MethodsNinety-two cancer patients, mean age of 53.8 years old with 51.1% male, were enrolled from January 2005 to March 2007. They were referred to our catheterization laboratory for retrieval of fractured central venous port-catheter in our hospital. All patients were followed in the outpatient department for at least 1 month after surgical insertion. The characteristics of disrupted central venous port-catheter were recorded. The procedure-related clinical condition was evaluated.ResultsThe most common presentation of central venous port-catheter dislodgement is irrigation resistance to infusion (51/92). The most common location of fractured fragments is between superior vena cava and right atrium (i.e. proximal end remained in superior vena cava and distal end in right atrium) (22/92). The most common fracture site of the catheter is at the anastomosis between injection port and catheter (77/92). The retrieval set used mostly is loop snare. The success rate of the percutaneous retrieval of dislodged fragment was 97.8% and the complication rate was 3.3% only.ConclusionThe faulty connection between catheter and injection port contributes mainly to dislodgement of central venous port-catheter. Percutaneous retrieval of dislodged catheter is a highly successful, safe and efficient method.

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