Venous cutdown versus the Seldinger technique for placement of totally implantable venous access ports

A novel incision technique of a totally implanted venous access port in the upper arm for patients with breast cancer

BACKGROUND

A totally implanted venous access port (TIVAP) in the upper arm is a safe and cost-effective vascular access device and is widely used in breast cancer patients. Traditional tunnelling technique increases the operation time and has an unsatisfied cosmetic effect, so we explored the feasibility, cosmetic effect and complications of an upper arm port with a novel incision in this retrospective study.

METHODS

We reviewed 489 cases of totally implantable venous access port implantation in the upper arm with two types of incisions in our centre from 1 January 2018 to 30 January 2022. The patients were divided into two different incision groups including the puncture site incision group (n = 282) and the conventional tunnelling group (n = 207). The comparison of the results was collected between the two groups, and contributing factors were analyzed for major complications.

RESULTS

A total of 489 patients were successfully implanted with arm ports using the puncture site incision technique (n = 282, 57.7%) and conventional tunnelling technique (n = 207, 42.3%). The average operation time of the two types of incisions was 36.5 ± 15 min in the puncture site incision group and 55 ± 18.1 min in the tunnel needle group (P < 0.05). In terms of complications, 33 catheter-related complications occurred (6.4%), including 9 cases of infection, 15 cases of catheter-related thrombosis and 7 cases of skin exposure. Fourteen patients in the puncture site incision group developed complications compared with 17 in the traditional incision group. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of overall complication events (5.0% and 8.2%, P = 0.145) while the same result was found in each complication event. Weight, total cholesterol and diabetes were found to be associated with device-related infections in the univariate Cox proportional hazard regression models. Diabetes was found to be associated with device-related infections in multivariate analysis while hypertension was associated with thrombosis.

CONCLUSIONS

The puncture site incision method is a novel technique with a better cosmetic appearance and less operation time than the traditional tunnelling technique, providing a comparable overall rate of complications. It offers a preferable choice for clinicians when dealing with different situations of patients. It is worthy of being used and promoted for patients requiring the totally implanted venous access port in the upper arm.

Risk Factors of Catheter-Related Infection in Unplanned Extubation of Totally Implantable Venous-Accessportsin Tumor Patients

Background

Totally implantable intravenous ports (TIVAPs) are mostly used for long-term intravenous infusion therapy in cancer patients and can be left in the body for long periods of time for easy management, making them a simple and safe infusion device. Although the risks associated with long-term retention of fully implantable IV ports are less than those associated with other intravenous catheters, various complications may still occur at the time of implantation or during long-term use.

Purpose

To provide a scientific basis for clinical reduction of implantable intravenous port-associated infection complications by studying the risk factors for catheter-associated infection complications in patients applying implantable intravenous ports.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted on oncology patients treated with TIVAP at our hospital between January 2017 and November 2021, with a review of patients who were unplanned for extubation. Their demographic data, underlying disease status, and surgery-related data were counted to summarize and analyze the complications and related influencing factors of implantation and postimplantation.

Results

A total of 70 individuals with a mean age of 56.49 ± 12.19 years were included in the study. Among them, 39 were male and 64 had the highest percentage of epithelial tumors, followed by tumors of the lymphopoiesis system and mesenchymal tumors with 4 and 2 cases, respectively. Forty-eight of these patients did not have their ports removed as planned due to the occurrence of catheter-related hematogenous infections. In univariate analysis, BMI and neutropenia were risk factors for catheter-associated infections. In the multivariate analysis, BMI (OR = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.07–1.78, p=0.013) was an independent risk factor for catheter-associated infections.

Conclusions

The overall complication rate of fully implanted intravenous ports was high, but most complications improved with symptomatic management, and no deaths due to port complications were identified. Infection was the most common complication, with catheter-associated bloodstream infection being the most common cause of unplanned port extraction. Patients with a higher BMI were at high risk of developing implantable IV port-associated infections, which may be an independent risk factor for implantable IV port-associated infections.

Retrospective analysis: 5509 cases of "totally implantable venous access port systems implantation (TIVAPS) depth" assisted by digital radiography

PURPOSE

Modern oncological treatment in breast cancer patients requires the precise delivery of chemotherapy infusion into the central venous systems without toxicity. TIVAPS is the significant method of chemotherapy delivery although certain internal or external complications associated with their placement. However, the long-term use of TIVAPS is still a concern to minimize the complications such as venous thrombosis syndrome (VTS) and cardiac defects. The aim of this study is to investigate the potential disadvantages that may be avoided by digital radiography (DR)-assisted measurement of catheter depth pertinent to TIVAPS implanted system.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis related to 5509 TIVAPS recipients of 99% female breast cancer patients and 1% male blood disorder patients registered from April 2013 to November 2017 were included in the study. Patients with TIVAPS catheter tip depth into superior vena cava into upper (group A), middle (group B), and lower (group C) parts were stratified for evaluation during implantation; DR-assisted measurement of TIVAPS was performed to decipher "tip depth of catheter" and determined the relevance of tip depth to complications such as VTS and cardiac defects.

RESULTS

Incidence of VTS complications were significantly higher in TIVAPS recipients of group A (82.7%) than group B (16%) and group C (0.12%) in which the "tip depth of TIVAPS was deeper" (P < 0.01). Defects in heart function are higher in group C (59.6%) than group A (15.8%) and group B (24.6%) in which the "tip depth of TIVAPS was deeper" (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

DR-assisted measurement can more accurately determine the depth of TIVAPS catheter implantation, and avoid the incidence of related complications, and provide a better method for surgeons.

Totally implantable venous access port insertion via open Seldinger approach of the internal jugular vein-a retrospective risk stratification of 500 consecutive patients

PURPOSE

Modern oncological treatment algorithms require a central venous device in form of a totally implantable venous access port (TIVAP). While most commonly used techniques are surgical cutdown of the cephalic vein or percutaneous puncture of the subclavian vein, there are a relevant number of patients in which an additional strategy is needed. The aim of the current study is to present a surgical technique for TIVAP implantation via an open Seldinger approach of the internal jugular vein and to characterize risk factors, associated with primary failure as well as short- (< 30 days) and long-term (> 30 days) complications.

METHODS

A total of 500 patients were included and followed up for 12 months. Demographic and intraoperative data and short- as well as long-term complications were extracted. Primary endpoint was TIVAP removal due to complication. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze associated risk factors.

RESULTS

Surgery was primarily successful in all cases, while success was defined as functional (positive aspiration and infusion test) TIVAP which was implanted via open Seldinger approach of the jugular vein at the intended site. TIVAP removal due to complications during the 1st year occurred in 28 cases (5.6%) while a total of 4 (0.8%) intraoperative complications were noted. Rates for short- and long-term complications were 0.8% and 6.6%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

While the presented technique requires relatively long procedure times, it is a safe and reliable method for TIVAP implantation. Our results might help to further introduce the presented technique as a secondary approach in modern TIVAP surgery.

Meta-analysis of primary open versus closed cannulation strategy for totally implantable venous access port implantation

BACKGROUND

There is still no reference standard for the implantation of totally implantable venous access ports (TIVAPs). A recently published multicentre randomised controlled trial (RCT) revealed a significantly greater risk of pneumothorax after closed cannulation than after an open strategy. The aim of this meta-analysis was to provide an update of the available evidence for the safety and effectiveness of primary open versus closed cannulation strategy.

METHODS

RCTs comparing outcomes of open cut-down of the cephalic vein and closed cannulation of the subclavian vein were sought systematically in MEDLINE, Web of Science and CENTRAL. The primary outcome was the occurrence of pneumothorax. A beta-binominal model was applied to combine the respective outcomes, and results are presented as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI).

RESULTS

Six RCTs with a total of 1831 patients were included in final analysis. Meta-analysis showed statistically significant superiority of the open cut-down technique regarding pneumothorax (OR 0.308, 95% CI 0.122 to 0.776), but a statistically significant higher failure of the primary technique for the open cut-down technique than for closed cannulation (OR 2.364, 95% CI 1.051 to 5.315). There were no significant differences between the two procedures regarding other morbidity endpoints.

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis shows a general superiority of open cut-down of the cephalic vein over closed cannulation of the subclavian vein regarding the occurrence of pneumothorax. Open cut-down should be the first-line approach for TIVAP implantation. Closed cannulation should be performed with ultrasound as second-line procedure if the open technique fails.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42013005180.

Unexpected tunnelled central venous access demise: a single institutional study from the UK

PURPOSE

To explore the factors involved in the demise of tunnelled central vascular access devices (CVADs) in children and describe patterns of failure.

METHODS

A retrospective study including children under 16 years of age undergoing CVAD insertion in a tertiary centre between October 2014 and December 2019. The Kaplan-Meier estimator was used to study CVAD survival and piecewise exponential curves to approximate hazard rates. Related factors were analysed using multivariable regression.

RESULTS

Totally, 684 CVADs were inserted in 499 children. Devices were in situ for 213,821 days (median 244.5). Of those, 261 CVADs (38.2%) failed prematurely; 176 (67%) required replacement. Tunnelled external lines (TELs) failed more frequently than totally implantable devices (p < 0.005).TEL displacement occurred in two high-risk phases, falling to baseline after 90 days. Low age at device insertion and open placement were strongly associated with an increased failure rate. Previous CVAD failure did not increase subsequent failure rate. Premature failure increased procedural cost by £153,949 per year.

CONCLUSIONS

TIDs should be placed in preference to TELs where appropriate. TELs are at highest risk of displacement for 90 days and must be well secured for this duration. Meticulous line care offers significant potential cost savings by reducing line replacements.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.

Chinese expert consensus and practice guideline of totally implantable access port for digestive tract carcinomas

Totally implantable access port is a fully implantable drug delivery system that is implanted subcutaneously and can be retained for a long time. Advantages of ports include a simple nursing process, low risk of infection and embolism, and high patient comfort. In order to promote the standardized application of ports in the treatment of digestive tract tumors and reduce port-related complications, the Chinese Research Hospital Association Digestive Tumor Committee, the Chinese Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons, the Chinese Gastric Cancer Association, and the Gastrointestinal Surgical Group of Chinese Surgical Society Affiliated to Chinese Medical Association have organized multidisciplinary expert discussions at the General Hospital of the People’s Liberation Army and nation-wide expert letter reviews and on-site seminars, and formulated an expert consensus of the operation guidelines.

A Five-Year Data Report of Long-Term Central Venous Catheters Focusing on Early Complications

BACKGROUND

Long-term venous access has become the standard practice for the administration of chemotherapy, fluid therapy, antibiotics, and parenteral nutrition. The most commonly used methods are percutaneous puncture of the subclavian and internal jugular veins using the Seldinger technique or surgical cutdown of the cephalic vein.

METHODS

This study is based on a quality registry including all long-term central venous catheter insertion procedures performed in patients >18 years at our department during a five-year period. The following data were registered: demographic data, main diagnosis and indications for the procedure, preoperative blood samples, type of catheter, the venous access used, and the procedure time. In addition, procedural and early postoperative complications were registered: unsuccessful procedures, malpositioned catheters, pneumothorax, hematoma complications, infections, nerve injuries, and wound ruptures. The Seldinger technique using anatomical landmarks at the left subclavian vein was the preferred access. Fluoroscopy was not used.

RESULTS

One thousand one hundred and one procedures were performed. In eight (0.7%) cases, the insertion of a catheter was not possible, 23 (2.1%) catheters were incorrectly positioned, twelve (1.1%) patients developed pneumothorax, nine (0.8%) developed hematoma, and three (0.27%) developed infection postoperatively. One (0.1%) patient suffered nerve injury, which totally recovered. No wound ruptures were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

We have a high success rate of first-attempt insertions compared with other published data, as well as an acceptable and low rate of pneumothorax, hematoma, and infections. However, the number of malpositioned catheters was relatively high. This could probably have been avoided with routine use of fluoroscopy during the procedure.

Right Heart Catheterization-Background, Physiological Basics, and Clinical Implications

The idea of right heart catheterization (RHC) grew in the milieu of modern thinking about the cardiovascular system, influenced by the experiments of William Harvey, which were inspired by the treatises of Greek philosophers like Aristotle and Gallen, who made significant contributions to the subject. RHC was first discovered in the eighteenth century by William Hale and was subsequently systematically improved by outstanding experiments in the field of physiology, led by Cournand and Dickinson Richards, which finally resulted in the implementation of pulmonary artery catheters (PAC) into clinical practice by Jeremy Swan and William Ganz in the early 1970s. Despite its premature euphoric reception, some further analysis seemed not to share the early enthusiasm as far as the safety and effectiveness issues were concerned. Nonetheless, RHC kept its significant role in the diagnosis, prognostic evaluation, and decision-making of pulmonary hypertension and heart failure patients. Its role in the treatment of end-stage heart failure seems not to be fully understood, although it is promising. PAC-guided optimization of the treatment of patients with ventricular assist devices and its beneficial introduction into clinical practice remains a challenge for the near future.

Long-Term Follow-Up Examination of the Internal Jugular Vein After Vessel-Sparing Implantation of a Hickman Catheter or Port Catheter

Introduction: Both a Hickman catheter (HC) and port catheter (Port) can be inserted either percutaneously by the Seldinger technique or by surgical venous cut-down. Catheters are inserted with a vessel-sparing technique when they are placed in the internal jugular vein (IJV) by venous cut-down. Although this technique is common, data are sparse regarding the vessel's state at long-term follow-up. This study was aimed at determining the flow pattern and constitution of the IJV after vessel-sparing implantation of an HC or Port and comparing the outcomes to those of implantation with the Seldinger technique. Methods: One hundred children (58 boys, 42 girls) between 33 days and 18 years of age who underwent a vessel-sparing implantation of an HC or Port in the IJV were prospectively included. All patients underwent surgical venous cut-down at a single institution. Patency and shape of the IJV were determined by ultrasound and categorized according to 2 possible outcomes: relevant alteration (including occlusion of the IJV) and no relevant alteration, with relevant alteration defined as changes that caused an altered flow pattern. Results: Median age was 6 years at the time of operation, and the median indwelling time of catheters was 271 days. Twenty-two of our patients (22%) showed relevant alterations. These changes included high-grade stenosis or lesion in 13 patients (13%) and occlusion in 9 patients (9%). There were no operation-associated complications, such as pneumothorax, hematopericardium, or accidental puncture of the carotid artery. Statistical analysis did not reveal any specific parameter as a risk factor for relevant structural abnormalities. Discussion: In a comparison of our data to the literature, venous cut-down showed an alteration rate of 26% and a patency rate of 85%, whereas the Seldinger technique was found to cause alteration in 15%, with a patency rate of 97% but a successful placement rate of only 90.3-91.6%. Conclusion: The indication for long-term catheter placement may determine which method is preferable. A child who is likely to need more catheters in the future might benefit from the Seldinger technique, since there is a higher chance of long-term patency of the vessel. A patient undergoing chemotherapy might benefit more from the surgical venous cut-down with less placement-associated complications.

Venous cutdown versus the Seldinger technique for placement of totally implantable venous access ports

BACKGROUND

Totally implantable venous access ports (TIVAPs) provide patients with a safe and permanent venous access, for instance in the administration of chemotherapy for oncology patients. There are several methods for TIVAP placement, and the optimal evidence-based method is unclear.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the efficacy and safety of three commonly used techniques for implanting TIVAPs: the venous cutdown technique, the Seldinger technique, and the modified Seldinger technique. This review includes studies that use Doppler or real-time two-dimensional ultrasonography for locating the vein in the Seldinger technique.

SEARCH METHODS

The Cochrane Vascular Trials Search Co-ordinator searched the Cochrane Vascular Specialised Register (last searched August 2015) and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (2015, Issue 7), as well as clinical trials registers.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomised or quasi-randomised controlled clinical trials that randomly allocated people requiring TIVAP to the venous cutdown, Seldinger, or modified Seldinger technique. Two review authors independently assessed studies for inclusion eligibility, with a third review author checking excluded studies.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently extracted data. We assessed all studies for risk of bias. We assessed heterogeneity using Chi(2) statistic and variance (I(2)statistic) methods. Dichotomous outcomes, summarised as odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI), were: primary implantation success, complications (in particular infection), pneumothorax, and catheter complications. We conducted separate analyses to assess the two access veins, subclavian and internal jugular (IJ) vein, in the Seldinger technique versus the venous cutdown technique. We used both intention-to-treat (ITT) and on-treatment analyses and pooled data using a fixed-effect model.

MAIN RESULTS

We included nine studies with a total of 1253 participants in the review. Five studies compared Seldinger technique (subclavian vein access) with venous cutdown technique (cephalic vein access). Two studies compared Seldinger (IJ vein) versus venous cutdown (cephalic vein). One study compared the modified Seldinger technique (cephalic vein) with the venous cutdown (cephalic vein), and one study compared the Seldinger (subclavian vein) versus the Seldinger (IJ vein) technique.Seldinger technique (subclavian or IJ vein access) versus venous cutdown (cephalic vein): We included seven trials with 1006 participants for analysis. Both ITT (OR 0.40; 95% CI 0.25 to 0.65) and on-treatment analysis (OR 0.59; 95% CI 0.36 to 0.98) showed that the Seldinger technique for implantation of TIVAP had a higher success rate compared with the venous cutdown technique. We found no difference between overall peri- and postoperative complication rates: ITT (OR 1.16; 95% CI 0.76 to 1.75) and on-treatment analysis (OR 0.93; 95% CI 0.62 to 1.40). In the Seldinger group, the majority of the trials reported use of the subclavian vein for venous access, with only a limited number of trials utilising the IJ vein for access. When individual complication rates of infection, pneumothorax, and catheter complications were analysed, the Seldinger technique (subclavian vein access) was associated with a higher rate of catheter complications compared to the venous cutdown technique: ITT (OR 6.77; 95% CI 2.31 to 19.79) and on-treatment analysis (OR 6.62; 95% CI 2.24 to 19.58). There was no difference in incidence of infections, pneumothorax, and other complications between the groups.Modified Seldinger technique (cephalic vein) versus venous cutdown (cephalic vein): We identified one trial with 164 participants. ITT analysis showed no difference in primary implantation success rate between the modified Seldinger technique (69/82, 84%) and the venous cutdown technique (66/82, 80%), P = 0.686. We observed no differences in the peri- or postoperative complication rates.Seldinger (subclavian vein access) versus Seldinger (IJ vein access): We identified one trial with 83 participants. The primary success rate was 84% (37/44) for Seldinger (subclavian vein) versus 74% (29/39) for the Seldinger (IJ vein). There was a higher overall complication rate in the subclavian group (48%) compared to the jugular group (23%), P = 0.02. However, when specific complications were compared individually, we found no differences between the groups.The overall quality of the trials included in this review was moderate. The methods used for randomisation were inadequate in four of the nine included studies, but sensitivity analysis excluding these trials did not alter the outcome. The nature of the interventions, either venous cutdown or Seldinger techniques, meant that it was not feasible to blind the participant or personnel, therefore we judged this to be at low risk of bias. The majority of participants in the included trials were oncology patients at tertiary centres, and the outcomes were applicable to the typical clinical scenario. For all outcomes, when comparing venous cutdown and Seldinger technique, serious imprecision was evident by wide confidence intervals in the included trials. The quality of the overall evidence was therefore downgraded from high to moderate. Due to the limited number of included studies we were unable to assess publication bias.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Moderate-quality evidence showed that the Seldinger technique has a higher primary implantation success rate compared with the venous cutdown technique. The majority of trials using the Seldinger technique used the subclavian vein for venous access, and only a few trials reported the use of the internal jugular vein for venous access. Moderate-quality evidence showed no difference in the overall complication rate between the Seldinger and venous cutdown techniques. However, when the Seldinger technique with subclavian vein access was compared with the venous cutdown group, there was a higher reported incidence of catheter complications. The rates of pneumothorax and infection did not differ between the Seldinger and venous cutdown group. We identified only one trial for each of the comparisons modified Seldinger technique (cephalic vein) versus venous cutdown (cephalic vein) and Seldinger (subclavian vein access) versus Seldinger (IJ vein access), thus a definitive conclusion cannot be drawn for these comparisons and further research is recommended.