Use of Subcutaneous Port Catheter in Childhood Malignancies

Background: The port catheters are used to give long-term total parenteral nutrition, intravenous fluids, blood and blood products, or to be preferred for oncology and hematological diseases. In this study, we sought to review our results concerning the subcutaneous port catheter appliance in childhood malignancies. Methods: Two hundred ten subcutaneous port catheters applied to 192 patients between November 2010 and October 2015 were examined retrospectively in a cross- sectional study. Information such as demographic data, primary diagnoses, port types and implantation durations were recorded. Localization of the intervention, surgical technique, early and late complications and causes of port removal were evaluated. Results: Mean age of patients was 6.4 ± 4.9 years (1 month - 17 years), 77 (40.1%) were female and 115 (59.9%) male. One hundred twenty nine ports were inserted from the right internal jugular vein, 59 to right subclavian vein, 14 to left subclavian vein and 8 to left internal jugular vein. Total duration of implantation was 55,492 days and median duration was 289 days. Early complications were: 1 (0.5%) hemothorax, 1 (0.5%) pneumothorax, 1 (0.5%) carotid artery injury, 1 (0.5%) arrhythmia and in 2 (1%) cases port mal-positioning. Late complications were: 9 (4.3%) infection and 8 (3.8%) mechanical problems, 7 (3.3%) thrombosis, and in 1 (0.5%) port fracture was detected. Port catheter was removed in 18 (8.6%) cases. No significant difference was found when jugular and subclavian vein implantation was compared in terms of all complications, especially infection and thrombosis. Conclusion: Use of port catheter is a safe option in children who are receiving a long-term chemotherapy. Education of the medical team will diminish the complication rate in port catheter insertions.