Advances in therapy
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Advances in therapy · Jul 2006
Totally implantable venous access devices via subclavian vein: a retrospective study of 368 oncology patients.
Totally implantable catheters and totally implantable venous access devices (TIVADs) represent a valid method of administering long-term chemotherapy. TIVADs have several advantages over other methods of venous access: they are easy to implant under local anesthesia, they cause less discomfort for patients, and they can be implanted and managed on an outpatient basis. A total of 368 oncology patients were scheduled for percutaneous venous access devices. ⋯ Late complications included 3 cases (0.8%) of venous thrombosis, 2 cases (0.5%) of pocket infection, and 1 case (0.3%) of port-related bacteremia. This study describes a series of patients with subcutaneous infusion ports connected to various catheters. This device is a good option for long-term access to the subclavian vein; major complications related to implantation are rare, and ongoing management of these devices supports their increased use in oncology patients.