Abstract
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to describe an experience with the placement of indwelling subcutaneous ports in gynecologic cancer patients by interventional radiologists. A total of 49 ports were inserted in 48 patients using the right internal jugular vein as the preferred access site. Ports were placed under both ultrasound and fluoroscopic guidance in interventional radiology suites. The success rate for placement was 100%. Mean port use was 266 days (total 10,915 days, range 14–712 days). No major complications were observed, including pneumothorax, air embolism, or arterial puncture. One patient experienced a suspected port-related infection. Therefore, the infection rate was 2%, or 0.09 events per 1,000 access days. Also, no port-related venous thrombosis was observed. Under sonographic and fluoroscopic guidance, indwelling subcutaneous ports can be placed by radiologists with reduced risk of major complications. An added advantage is accessibility of interventional radiology suites compared to operating rooms. At the authors' institution, ports can usually be placed within 24 h of request. Physicians should be made aware of the potential benefits of port placement by interventional radiologists. (J GYNECOL SURG 16:53, 2000)
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