Randomized clinical trial comparing venous cutdown with the Seldinger technique for placement of implantable venous access ports

Application of pocket-first technique for implantation of totally implantable venous access ports

BACKGROUND

While vascular puncture is always performed before making port pocket in the implantation of totally implantable venous access ports (TIVAP), some surgeons preferred to make port pocket first. This study seeks to verify the safety and feasibility for the pocket-first technique.

METHODS

The study retrospectively reviewed 447 patients who undergone TIVAP implantation from July 2017 to November 2022. All the patients were divided into two groups based on vascular puncture first or making port pocket first. The general information, operation information and post-operative complications were reviewed and analyzed.

RESULTS

All the operations were performed successfully. No difference was observed in the sex, age, height, weight, BMI, port location and total complication rate between the two groups. The operation time of the Puncture Group and the Pocket Group were 46.9 ± 22.4 min and 33.8 ± 13.6 min ( P<0.00001 ). In the patients of SCV approach, the operation time between the two groups were 37.4 ± 14.8 min and 33.5 ± 10.9 min ( P<0.05 ). Multivariate analysis showed the variable BMI and first procedure were independent prognostic factors for operation time. In the cases using SCV/AxV approach the variable first procedure was the only independent prognostic factor for operation time (P = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

The pocket-first technique can be considered as a safe, feasible and convenient technique for TIVAP implantation. The time consuming is significantly shortened compared with the puncture-first technique and this advantage may be more obvious when using SCV/AxV approach.

Cephalic Vein Cut Down for Total Implantable Venous Access Ports: A Retrospective Review of a Single Institution Series

Objective

The aim of this work was to describe the early and late success rates of cephalic vein cut down (CVC) in the implantation of totally implantable venous access ports (TIVAP) for chemotherapy treatment in oncological patients.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of 1 047 TIVAP performed in a private institution between 2008 and 2021. The CVC with pre-operative ultrasound (PUS) was the initial approach. All cephalic veins (CVs) were mapped pre-operatively with Doppler ultrasound, measuring their diameter and course in oncological patients who required a TIVAP. With a CV diameter ≥ 3.2 mm TIVAP was carried out by CVC; with CV diameter < 3.2 mm, subclavian vein puncture (SVP) was performed.

Results

1 047 TIVAPs were implanted in 998 patients. The mean age was 61.5 ± 11.5 years, 624 were women (65.5%). Male patients were significantly older and with a higher incidence of colonic, digestive system, and laryngeal cancer. Initially, TIVAP was indicated in 858 cases (82%) by CVC and 189 (18%) by SVP. The success rate was 98.5% for CVC and 98.4% for SVP. There were no complications for CVC (0%) but five early complications (2.5%) in the SVP group. The rates of late complications were 4.4% in the CVC group and 5.0% in the SVP group, foreign body infection being the most frequent (57.5% of the cases) (p = .85).

Conclusion

The CVC or SVP using PUS for TIVAP deployment, performed through a single incision, is a safe and effective technique. This open but minimally invasive technique should be considered in oncological patients.

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.

Standardized procedure prevents perioperative and early complications in totally implantable venous-access ports-a complication analysis of more than 1000 TIVAP implantations

PURPOSE

Since their invention 40 years ago, totally implantable venous-access ports (TIVAPs) have become indispensable in cancer treatment. The aim of our study was to analyze complications under standardized operative and perioperative procedures and to identify risk factors for premature port catheter explantation.

METHODS

A total of 1008 consecutive TIVAP implantations were studied for success rate, perioperative, early, and late complications. Surgical, clinical, and demographic factors were analyzed as potential risk factors for emergency port catheter explantation.

RESULTS

Successful surgical TIVAP implantation was achieved in 1005/1008 (99.7%) cases. No intraoperative or perioperative complications occurred. A total of 32 early complications and 88 late complications were observed leading to explantation in 11/32 (34.4%) and 34/88 (38.6%) cases, respectively. The most common complications were infections in 4.7% followed by thrombosis in 3.6%. Parameters that correlated with unplanned TIVAP explantation were gender (port in situ: female 95% vs. male 91%, p = 0.01), underlying disease (breast cancer 97% vs. gastrointestinal 89%, p = 0.004), indication (chemotherapy 95% vs. combination of chemotherapy and parenteral nutrition 64%, p < 0.0001), and type of complication (infection 13.4% vs. TIVAP-related complication 54% and thrombosis 95%, p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Standardized operative and perioperative TIVAP implantation procedures provide excellent results and low explantation rate.

Incidence and risk factor for infection of totally implantable venous access port

BACKGROUND

Totally implantable venous access ports (TIVAP) have been widely used in cancer patients for many years. The early infection (within 30 days after TIVAP implantation) rate of TIVAP accounts for about one-third of all TIVAP infections, and early infection often causes port removal and affects subsequent cancer treatment. This study investigated the incidence and risk factors for early and late infection after TIVAP implantation.

METHODS

From January 2013 to December 2018, all adult cancer patients who received TIVAP implantation in Taipei Medical University Shuang-Ho Hospital were reviewed. We evaluated the incidence of TIVAP-related infection, patient characteristics, and bacteriologic data. Univariable analysis and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to evaluate the risk factors of TIVAP-related infection.

RESULTS

A total of 3001 TIVAPs were implanted in 2897 patients, and the median follow-up time was 424 days (range: 1-2492 days), achieving a combined total of 1,648,731 catheter days. Thirty-one patients (1.0%) had early infection and 167 (5.6%) patients had late infection. In multivariate analysis, TIVAP combined with other surgeries (p = 0.03) and inpatient setting (p < 0.001) was the risk factor of early infection, and TIVAP combined with other surgeries (p = 0.007), hematological cancer (p = 0.03), and inpatient setting (p < 0.001) was the risk factor of late infection.

CONCLUSION

Inpatient TIVAP implantation and TIVAP implantation combined with other surgeries are associated with high rates of TIVAP-related early and late infections.

An analysis of the outcomes of totally implantable access port implantation performed by surgical residents

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes after totally implantable access port (TIAP) implantation performed by general surgery residents in patients with colorectal cancer.

Methods

A total of 291 consecutive patients who underwent TIAP implantations were evaluated. The patients were divided into three groups: second-, third-, and fourth-grade residents.

Results

The mean follow-up was 22.1 months (range, 1-87 months). The total times of operation, puncture, and cannulation decreased as the resident grade increased (P<0.001). Early complications significantly decreased with higher resident grades (P=0.039). The non-use of ultrasonography and non-use of C-arm were identified as independent risk factors for complications. Resident grades between second and third (P=0.005) and between second and fourth (P=0.041) were identified as independent risk factors for optimal tip position.

Conclusion

TIAP implantation can be safely and effectively performed by residents. Low-grade residents were associated with early complications.

Primary Open Versus Closed Implantation Strategy for Totally Implantable Venous Access Ports: The Multicentre Randomized Controlled PORTAS-3 Trial (DRKS 00004900)

OBJECTIVES

PORTAS-3 was designed to compare the frequency of pneumothorax or haemothorax in a primary open versus closed strategy for port implantation.

BACKGROUND DATA

The implantation strategy for totally implantable venous access ports with the optimal benefit/risk ratio remains unclear.

METHODS

PORTAS-3 was a multicentre, randomized, controlled, parallel-group superiority trial. Adult patients with oncological disease scheduled for elective port implantation were randomized to a primary open or closed strategy. Primary endpoint was the rate of pneumothorax or haemothorax. Assuming a difference of 2.5% between the 2 groups, a sample size of 1154 patients was needed to prove superiority of the open group. A logistic regression model after the intention-to-treat principle was applied for analysis of the primary endpoint.

RESULTS

Between November 9, 2014 and September 5, 2016, 1205 patients were randomized. Of these, 1159 (open n = 583; closed n = 576) were finally analyzed. The rate of pneumothorax or haemothorax was significantly reduced with the open strategy [odds ratio 0.27, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.09-0.88; P = 0.029]. Operation time was shorter for the closed strategy. Primary success rates, tolerability, morbidity, dose rate of radiation, and 30-day mortality did not differ significantly between the groups.

CONCLUSION

A primary open strategy by cut-down of the cephalic vein, if necessary enhanced by a modified Seldinger technique, reduces the frequency of pneumothorax or haemothorax after central venous port implantation significantly compared with a closed strategy by primary puncture of the subclavian vein without routine sonographic guidance. Therefore, open surgical cut-down should be the reference standard for port implantation in comparable cohorts.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

German Clinical Trials Register DRKS 00004900.

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.

Perioperative and Postoperative Complications of Ultrasound-Guided Totally Implantable Venous Access Ports via the Brachiocephalic Vein in Patients with Cancer: A Prospective Study

Objectives: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of ultrasound (US)-guided totally implantable venous access ports (TIVAPs) via the right brachiocephalic vein (BCV) or the left BCV approach.

Methods: Patients requiring TIVAP for chemotherapy were included in the study. US-guided TIVAPs via BCV were used for patients from July 2018 to December 2018. General information about the patients (sex, age, and diagnosis), side (right or left), surgical procedures and complications were recorded.

Results: A total of 107 TIVAPs in 107 patients (ages 38-73 years) were included, 75 via the right BCV and 32 via the left BCV. All of the patients underwent successful surgery. The BCV was successfully punctured on the first attempt in 99 patients (92.52%). Two attempts were needed in 6 patients (5.61%), and three attempts were necessary in 2 patients (1.87%). The mean operation time was 29 ± 5 min (range: 24 to 38 min). No serious complications occurred during the surgery, except the formation of a local haematoma in 1 case after artery puncture. During the follow-up period of 12 months, the incidence of long-term complications was 3.74% (4/107), including 2 cases of catheter-related infection and 2 cases of fibrin sheath formation. No serious complications such as catheter malposition or rupture were found.

Conclusion: US-guided TIVAP via the BCV offers an alternative for adults with good needle guidance and a low rate of perioperative and postoperative complications.

Periprocedural vascular access complications associated with percutaneous femoral arterial access using the modified Seldinger's technique in dogs during cardiac catheterization: a single-center experience

BACKGROUND

The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the peri-procedural major and minor complications associated with percutaneous femoral arterial access using modified Seldinger's technique in dogs that underwent cardiac catheterization.

METHODS

Medical records of 62 client owned dogs that underwent percutaneous femoral arterial access for interventional cardiac procedures were retrospectively evaluated. Post-procedural manual compression was used for hemostasis. Peri-procedural vascular access complications (that occurred from procedure time to discharge) were evaluated. Vascular access complications were divided into two groups: minor complications that did not require specific therapy and major complications that did require an intervention to address the complication associated with vascular access.

RESULTS

The minor complication rate was 30.6% (19/62) with most dogs experiencing minor bruising and small hematomas. The major complication rate was 3.2% (2/62). Both major complications were associated with bleeding with one dog requiring blood transfusion and the other dog requiring fluid therapy. No peri-procedural mortality associated with vascular access was noted.

CONCLUSION

This retrospective study suggests that percutaneous femoral arterial access using the modified Seldinger's technique with post-procedural manual compression for hemostasis is viable option for vascular access during cardiac catheterization and associated with no peri-procedural mortality in dogs. The lower rate of complications noted in this study may be related to operator experiences and as such complication rate at a single center may not reflect the experience at other centers.

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.

Power-injectable totally implantable venous access devices - analysis of success and complication rates of ultrasound-guided implantation and a patient satisfaction survey

Background: To retrospectively evaluate the success rates, peri-interventional, early and late complications and patient satisfaction associated with power-injectable totally implantable venous access devices (TIVAPs). Patients and methods: Between April 2011 and March 2016, a total of 1,203 TIVAPs were implanted in 1,169 patients. Ultrasound-guided, fluoroscopically controlled implantation was performed through the subclavian or internal jugular vein. The systematic analysis focused on the rate of successful port implantations, the frequency of peri-interventional, early and late complications and on how the experience of the implanting radiologist impacts these parameters. Additionally, a standardized questionnaire was administered to the 102 study patients in a telephone interview to survey their subjective rating of the port implantation. Results: 99.5 % of TIVAPs were implanted successfully. In 4 out of 6 patients, the implantation was repeated successfully at a later time. Complication rates were 1.4 % (0.0512/1.000 catheter days) for peri-interventional, 2.9 % (0.081 per 1,000 catheter days) for early and 8.3 % (0.2288 per 1,000 catheter days) for late complications. The radiologist's experience level and vein selection did not have a significant impact. Most peri-interventional complications (82.4 %) were of minor severity. The early (61.5 %) and late (65.6 %) complications were more frequently of major severity. Interventions to manage complications comprised port explanation in 46.9 %, conservative therapy in 17.4 % and interventional therapy in 12.2 %. At 1 and 3 months after port placement, the majority were satisfied or very satisfied with the interventional port implantation. Conclusions: Ultrasound-guided, fluoroscopically controlled implantation of TIVAPs is a safe procedure with low complication rates, high success rates and high patient satisfaction.

Efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided totally implantable venous access ports via the right innominate vein in adult patients with cancer: Single-centre experience and protocol

BACKGROUND

Totally implantable venous access ports (TIVAPs) are widely used and are an essential tool in the efficient delivery of chemotherapy. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of implantation of ultrasound (US)-guided TIVAPs via the right innominate vein (INV) for adult patients with cancer.

METHODS

This study retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 283 adult patients with cancer who underwent US-guided INV puncture for TIVAPs between September 2015 and September 2017. It also analysed the technical success rate, operation time, and short-term and long-term surgical complications.

RESULTS

Technical success was achieved in all patients (100%). The mean operation time was 28.31 ± 7.31 min (range: 23-39 min), and the puncture success rate for the first attempt was 99.30% (281/283). Minor complications included artery puncture during the operation in one patient, but no pneumothorax was encountered. The mean TIVAP time was 304.16 ± 42.54 days (range: 38-502 days). The rate of postoperative complications was 2.83% (8/283), including poor healing of the incision in one patient, catheter-related infections in three patients, port thrombosis in one patient, and fibrin sheath formation in three patients; no catheter malposition, pinch-off syndrome, catheter fracture, or other serious complications were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

TIVAPs are widely employed for chemotherapy. The present study found that the novel approach of using US-guided INV puncture to implant TIVAPs in adult patients with cancer is both short-termly feasible and safe for long-term central venous access.

Surgical Venous Cutdown for the Insertion of Totally Implantable Venous Access Devices

Purpose:

Stable insertion of totally implantable venous access devices (TIVADs) is mandatory for the administration of chemotherapy and parenteral nutrition. Subclavian venipuncture is the most popular route; however, perioperative complications occur in up to 12% of patients. We inserted TIVADs by surgical venous cutdown of the cephalic vein at the deltopectoral groove with the intention of a safe and stable implantation.

Methods:

We implanted TIVADs in 318 consecutive patients (331 cases) from January 2011 to December 2015. We retrospectively analyzed short- and long-term treatment outcomes and risk factors for primary failure of implantation and removal due to catheter-related complications.

Results:

The aim of implantation was chemotherapy in 198 cases, nutrition in 92 cases, and frequent intravenous drip in 41 case. Surgical venous cutdown was performed in 321 of 331 cases (97%); primary failure occurred in 42 cases (13.1%). Short-term complications occurred in 4 cases (1.2%), and there were no serious complications, such as pneumothorax. In the analysis of risk factors for primary failure, aim of implantation (chemotherapy versus nutrition versus frequent intravenous drip) was the only risk factor (P = 0.02). Removals occurred in 35 cases (11.5%). In the analysis of risk factors for removal due to complications, presence of infectious disease was identified as the only significant risk factor (P &lt; 0.001).

Conclusions:

We confirmed the safety and efficacy of the cutdown method and clarified the risk factors for primary failure and removal. The cutdown method was safe and was not associated with serious complications; however, selective implantation was needed to achieve a high success rate.

Programmatic change leads to enhanced resource utilization and efficiency in port placement

BACKGROUND

Central venous port (CVP) placement is performed by a variety of surgeons in different subspecialties, and our previous work suggests that individual surgeons-regardless of training-are the strongest predictor of outcomes. We sought to prospectively evaluate a programmatic shift toward a resource-conscious, patient-focused algorithm for this common and simple surgical procedure.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

After implementation of a systems-level program for efficient CVP placement, 78 CVPs were placed by a single surgeon. Primary outcomes were procedure time, total operating room (OR) time, total facility time, and procedure-related complications. These prospective data were compared with retrospective cohorts of surgically placed and interventional radiology-placed CVP. Demographic data were analyzed by chi-square analysis, whereas time data were analyzed by the Wilcoxon rank-sum test.

RESULTS

The programmatic delivery (prospective) set showed significantly shorter procedural (median 16 min versus 26-40, P <0.05), OR times (median 36 min versus 46-70, P <0.05), and facility times (median 235 min versus 299-319, P <0.05) except for the interventional radiology facility time (median 187 versus 235, P <0.05). The range of OR time savings with the prospective versus comparison groups was 10-34 min, representing 22%-49% reductions in OR time (P <0.05). Complication rates were not significantly different (P = 0.13).

CONCLUSIONS

Through a programmatic change emphasizing efficiency and patient-centered outcomes, procedural/OR/facility time can be reduced greatly without changing complication rates. These data provide compelling evidence that common and ostensibly simple operative procedures can be substantially improved upon with thoughtful, data-driven systems-level enhancements.

Radiation burden of pediatric ultrasound-guided percutaneous central venous access devices: A prospective cohort study

Permanent central venous access is essential for the management of many pediatric patients. Knowing the amount of ionizing radiation used during the insertion of these devices is important. Our aim was to identify the radiation used in percutaneous insertion of central venous access devices, and to correlate radiation exposure to patient weight.

METHODS

Data was prospectively collected during a 12-month period from August 2015 to August 2016 on all ultrasound-guided percutaneous central venous access device insertions. An image intensifier was used in all insertions with data on radiation dose and screening time extracted, when available. The total radiation dose was measured in mGym2 and the total radiation time in seconds. A p-value <0.05 was used to denote statistical significance.

RESULTS

A total of 145 central venous access devices were inserted (82 portacaths, 43 double lumen lines, 16 single lumen lines and 4 hemocaths) in 127 patients (Median Age: 5.5years (Range 0-17); Median Weight 21kg (Range 1.9-100)) with 15 patients requiring multiple insertions over the course of the study. Of these, 88 had data captured for total radiation dose and time used and a further 23 had screening time only recorded. Median radiation dose was 0.00599 mGym2 (range 0.000543-0.148) with a median fluoroscopic screening time of 18s (range 2-479). Median dose was higher for children <10kg compared to larger children, 0.00661 mGym2 (range 0.00202-0.0468) versus 0.005715 mGym2 (range 0.000543-0.148) respectively. Left-sided internal jugular vein (IJV) insertions also had a higher median radiation dose of 0.0091 mGym2 (range 0.00142-0.148 mGym2) versus 0.005245 mGym2 (range 0.000543-0.0285 mGym2) for right-sided IJV insertions.

CONCLUSION

The radiation burden to children from percutaneous ultrasound-guided central venous access device insertions is small, in the order of that received during a chest radiograph. Weight<10kg and access of the left IJV are associated with receiving higher doses.

STUDY TYPE

Cohort Study (Level of Evidence: II).

Pneumothorax and Subclavian Vein Thrombosis in Patients With Venous Access Device Implantation

The primary aim is to assess the length of hospitalization due to iatrogenic pneumothorax as a main complication of totally implantable venous access device (TIVAD) implantation. Secondary aim is to analyze the thrombogenic effects of different catheter diameters on the subclavian vein. Pneumothorax is a rare and may be underestimated, underdocumented, but serious complication in TIVAD of implantation using the subclavian vein puncture method. A total of 1155 consecutive patients with TIVAD implantation were assessed retrospectively over a 14-year time period. As primary outcome the length of hospitalization due to iatrogenic pneumothorax and as secondary outcome subclavian vein thrombosis (SVT) in relation to different TIVAD catheter sizes were analyzed. Pneumothoraces occurred 6 times (0.52%) and only when the subclavian vein was punctured. The median hospitalization for these patients was 8 days (5 of the 6 patients needed a chest drain). No pneumothoraces occurred when a peripheral vein was used for access (980 patients). SVTs were detected in 13 patients (1.1%) without any correlation to the diameter of the catheter. There was no significant correlation detected between the different tumor types and the complication rates. Iatrogenic pneumothorax may lead to hospitalization of 1 week or more. The costs then increase with additional chests x-rays, chest drain insertions, and hospitalization days. When making the choice for surgical venous cutdown or subclavian vein puncture to implant TIVAD, the consequences of iatrogenic pneumothorax should be considered as pneumothorax is a rare but serious complication of TIVAD implantation inherent to subclavian vein puncture.

Randomized controlled trials in central vascular access devices: A scoping review

BACKGROUND

Randomized controlled trials evaluate the effectiveness of interventions for central venous access devices, however, high complication rates remain. Scoping reviews map the available evidence and demonstrate evidence deficiencies to focus ongoing research priorities.

METHOD

A scoping review (January 2006-December 2015) of randomized controlled trials evaluating the effectiveness of interventions to improve central venous access device outcomes; including peripherally inserted central catheters, non-tunneled, tunneled and totally implanted venous access catheters. MeSH terms were used to undertake a systematic search with data extracted by two independent researchers, using a standardized data extraction form.

RESULTS

In total, 178 trials were included (78 non-tunneled [44%]; 40 peripherally inserted central catheters [22%]; 20 totally implanted [11%]; 12 tunneled [6%]; 6 non-specified [3%]; and 22 combined device trials [12%]). There were 119 trials (68%) involving adult participants only, with 18 (9%) pediatric and 20 (11%) neonatal trials. Insertion-related themes existed in 38% of trials (67 RCTs), 35 RCTs (20%) related to post-insertion patency, with fewer trials on infection prevention (15 RCTs, 8%), education (14RCTs, 8%), and dressing and securement (12 RCTs, 7%). There were 46 different study outcomes reported, with the most common being infection outcomes (161 outcomes; 37%), with divergent definitions used for catheter-related bloodstream and other infections.

CONCLUSION

More high quality randomized trials across central venous access device management are necessary, especially in dressing and securement and patency. These can be encouraged by having more studies with multidisciplinary team involvement and consumer engagement. Additionally, there were extensive gaps within population sub-groups, particularly in tunneled devices, and in pediatrics and neonates. Finally, outcome definitions need to be unified for results to be meaningful and comparable across studies.

Optimized Axillary Vein Technique versus Subclavian Vein Technique in Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Device Implantation: A Randomized Controlled Study

BACKGROUND

The conventional venous access for cardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED) is the subclavian vein, which is often accompanied by high complication rate. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of optimized axillary vein technique.

METHODS

A total of 247 patients undergoing CIED implantation were included and assigned to the axillary vein group or the subclavian vein group randomly. Success rate of puncture and complications in the perioperative period and follow-ups were recorded.

RESULTS

The overall success rate (95.7% vs. 96.0%) and one-time success rate (68.4% vs. 66.1%) of punctures were similar between the two groups. In the subclavian vein group, pneumothorax occurred in three patients. The subclavian gaps of three patients were too tight to allow operation of the electrode lead. In contrast, there were no puncture-associated complications in the axillary vein group. In the patient follow-ups, two patients in the subclavian vein group had subclavian crush syndrome and both of them received lead replacement. The incidence of complications during the perioperative period and follow-ups of the axillary vein group and the subclavian vein group was 1.6% (2/125) and 8.2% (10/122), respectively (χ2 = 5.813, P = 0.016).

CONCLUSION

Optimized axillary vein technique may be superior to the conventional subclavian vein technique for CIED lead placement.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02358551; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02358551?term=NCT02358551& rank=1.

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.

Closed cannulation of subclavian vein vs open cut-down of cephalic vein for totally implantable venous access port (TIVAP) implantation: protocol for a systematic review and proportional meta-analysis of perioperative and postoperative complications

BACKGROUND

Totally implantable venous access port (TIVAP) implantation is one of the most often performed operations in general surgery (over 100,000/year in Germany). The two main approaches for TIVAP placement are insertion into the cephalic vein through an open cut-down technique (OCD) or closed cannulation technique of the subclavian vein (CC) with Seldinger technique. Both procedures are performed with high success rates and very low complication frequencies. Because of the low incidence of complications, no single interventional trial is able to report a valid comparison of peri- and postoperative complication frequencies between both techniques. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review is to summarize evidence for peri- and postoperative complication rates in patients undergoing OCD or CC.

METHODS/DESIGN

A systematic literature search will be conducted in The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, and Embase to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs), observational clinical studies (OCS), or case series (CS) reporting peri- and/or postoperative complications of at least one implantation technique. A priori defined data will be extracted from included studies, and methodological quality will be assessed. Event rates with their 95% confidence intervals will be derived taking into account the follow-up time per study by patient-months where appropriate. Pooled estimates of event rates with corresponding 95% confidence intervals will be calculated on the base of the Freeman-Tukey double arcsine transformation within a random effect model framework.

DISCUSSION

The findings of this systematic review with proportional meta-analysis will help to identify the procedure with the best benefit/risk ratio for TIVAP implantation. This may have influence on daily practice, and data may be implemented in treatment guidelines. Considering the impact of TIVAP implantation on patients' well being together with its socioeconomic relevance, patients will benefit from evidence-based treatment and health-care costs may also be reduced.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42013005180.

Frequency of pneumothorax and haemothorax after primary open versus closed implantation strategies for insertion of a totally implantable venous access port in oncological patients: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Background

The insertion of central venous access devices, such as totally implantable venous access ports (TIVAPs), is routine in patients who need a safe and permanent venous access. The number of port implantations is increasing due to the development of innovative adjuvant and neo-adjuvant therapies. Currently, two different strategies are being routinely used: surgical cut-down of the cephalic vein (vena section) and direct puncture of the subclavian vein. The aim of this trial is to identify the strategy for the implantation of TIVAPs with the lowest risk of pneumothorax and haemothorax.

Methods/Design

The PORTAS-3 trial is designed as a multicentre, randomised controlled trial to compare two implantation strategies. A total of 1,154 patients will be randomised after giving written informed consent. Patients must be over 18 years of age and scheduled for primary implantation of a TIVAP on the designated side. The primary endpoint will be the frequency of pneumothorax and haemothorax after insertion of a TIVAP by one of two different strategies. The experimental intervention is as follows: open strategy, defined as surgical cut-down of the cephalic vein, supported by a rescue technique if necessary, and in the case of failure, direct puncture of the subclavian vein. The control intervention is as follows: direct puncture of the subclavian vein using the Seldinger technique guided by sonography, fluoroscopy or landmark technique. The trial duration is approximately 36 months, with a recruitment period of 18 months and a follow-up period of 30 days.

Discussion

The PORTAS-3 trial will compare two different TIVAP implantation strategies with regard to their individual risk of postoperative pneumothorax and haemothorax. Since TIVAP implantation is one of the most common procedures in general surgery, the results will be of interest for a large community of surgeons as well as oncologists and general practitioners. The pragmatic trial design ensures that the results will be generalizable to a wide range of patients.

Trial registration

The trial protocol was registered on 28 August 2014 with the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00004900). The World Health Organization’s Universal Trial Number is U1111-1142-4420.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13063-015-0643-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

1000 Port-A-Cath ® placements by subclavian vein approach: single surgeon experience

INTRODUCTION

Totally implantable venous access ports are widely used for the administration of chemotherapy in patients with cancer. Although there are several approaches to implantation, here we describe Port-A-Cath(®) (PAC) placement by percutaneous puncture of the subclavian vein with ultrasonographic guidance.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Data on our vascular access service were collected prospectively from June 2004. This service included port-a-caths and Hickman lines. Once 1000 consecutive port-a-caths(®) had been reached the study was closed and data analysed for the port-a-caths(®) alone. The left subclavian vein was the preferred site for venous access, with the right subclavian and jugular veins being the alternative choices if the initial approach failed. Patients were followed up in the short-term, and all the procedures were carried out by a single surgeon at each one of two institutions.

RESULTS

Venous access by PAC was established in 100 % of the 1,000 cases. Of the 952 patients where the left subclavian vein was chosen for the first attempt of puncture, the success rate of PAC placement was 95 % (n = 904). Pneumothorax occurred in 12 patients (1.2 %), and a wound haematoma occurred in 4 (0.4 %) out of the total 1,000 patients. No infections were recorded during the immediate post-operative period but only in the long-term post-operative use with 8 patients requiring removal of the PAC due to infection following administration of chemotherapy.

CONCLUSION

This is a very large series of PAC placement with an ultrasound-guided approach for left subclavian vein and X-ray confirmation, performed by a single surgeon, demonstrating both the safety and effectiveness of the procedure.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of percutaneous subclavian vein puncture versus surgical venous cutdown for the insertion of a totally implantable venous access device

Background

Totally implantable venous access devices (TIVADs) are commonly used in patients with cancer. Although several methods of implantation have been described, there is not enough evidence to support the use of a specific technique on a daily basis. The objective of this study was systematically to assess the literature comparing percutaneous subclavian vein puncture with surgical venous cutdown.

Methods

MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched by two independent authors. No time limits were applied. A systematic review and meta-analysis was carried out according to the recommendations of the Cochrane Collaboration, including randomized clinical trials comparing primary percutaneous subclavian vein puncture with surgical venous cutdown.

Results

Six trials were included, with 772 patients overall. The primary implantation failure rate was significantly lower for the percutaneous approach compared with surgical cutdown (odds ratio (OR) 0·26, 95 per cent confidence interval (c.i.) 0·07 to 0·94; P = 0·039). There was no evidence supporting a significant difference in terms of risk of pneumothorax, haematoma, venous thrombosis, infectious events or catheter migration. After taking between-study heterogeneity into account by using a random-effects model, procedure duration was not significantly longer for surgical cutdown: weighted mean difference +4 (95 per cent c.i. –12 to 20) min (P = 0·625).

Conclusion

Percutaneous subclavian vein puncture is associated with a higher TIVAD implantation success rate and a procedure duration similar to that of surgical cutdown. Pneumothorax develops exclusively after percutaneous puncture and requires special attention from clinicians dealing with TIVAD insertion.

Metastasis over implantable venous access ports

BACKGROUND

The totally implantable venous access port (TIVAP) is an important device for patients receiving chemotherapy. We have reported, to our knowledge, the first case of a metastatic tumor over a TIVAP implanted via the Seldinger technique with a subclavian vein puncture.

METHODS

Our patient, a 48-year-old man with hard palate cancer, had metastasis over the TIVAP. CT studies showed that the tumor had spread along the catheter from the neck to the chest wall.

RESULTS

The cause of death was multiple lung metastases and intractable tumor bleeding over the TIVAP.

CONCLUSIONS

We present a novel case of metastasis over the TIVAP implanted by use of the Seldinger technique. This technique is used for patients receiving prolonged cytotoxic therapy for malignancy. Although the Seldinger technique is quick and more effective, we prefer the cephalic vein cut-down technique when an aggressive, advanced cancer of head and neck is involved.

Totally implantable venous power ports of the forearm and the chest: initial clinical experience with port devices approved for high-pressure injections

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the technical success, clinical outcome and safety of percutaneously placed totally implantable venous power ports (TIVPPs) approved for high-pressure injections, and to analyse their value for arterial phase CT scans.

METHODS

Retrospectively, we identified 204 patients who underwent TIVPP implantation in the forearm (n=152) or chest (n=52) between November 2009 and May 2011. Implantation via an upper arm (forearm port, FP) or subclavian vein (chest port, CP) was performed under sonographic and fluoroscopic guidance. Complications were evaluated following the standards of the Society of Interventional Radiology. Power injections via TIVPPs were analysed, focusing on adequate functioning and catheter's tip location after injection. Feasibility of automatic bolus triggering, peak injection pressure and arterial phase aortic enhancement were evaluated and compared with 50 patients who had had power injections via classic peripheral cannulas.

RESULTS

Technical success was 100%. Procedure-related complications were not observed. Catheter-related thrombosis was diagnosed in 15 of 152 FPs (9.9%, 0.02/100 catheter days) and in 1 of 52 CPs (1.9%, 0.002/100 catheter days) (p<0.05). Infectious complications were diagnosed in 9 of 152 FPs (5.9%, 0.014/100 catheter days) and in 2 of 52 CPs (3.8%, 0.003/100 catheter days) (p>0.05). Arterial bolus triggering succeeded in all attempts; the mean injection pressure was 213.8 psi. Aortic enhancement did not significantly differ between injections via cannulas and TIVPPs (p>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

TIVPPs can be implanted with high technical success rates, and are associated with low rates of complications if implanted with sonographic and fluoroscopic guidance. Power injections via TIVPPs are safe and result in satisfying arterial contrast. Conventional ports should be replaced by TIVPPs.

Insertion of totally implantable venous access devices: an expertise-based, randomized, controlled trial (NCT00600444)

OBJECTIVE

Comparison of two different insertion techniques for implantation of totally implantable access ports (TIAP).

BACKGROUND

TIAP are introduced through different open and closed cannulation strategies and by various medical experts. The aim of this expertise-based randomized trial was to compare venous cutdown approach with puncture of subclavian vein.

METHODS

One hundred and ten patients scheduled for primary implantation of a TIAP were randomly assigned to either open insertion technique performed by surgeons or puncture of the subclavian vein under fluoroscopic guidance by radiologists at an outpatient single university center. The primary endpoint was the primary success rate of the cannulation strategy. A logistic regression model was used for analysis adjusting for age, Karnofsky index, body mass index and surgeons', and the radiologists' experience.

RESULTS

Percutaneus cannulation was not superior to surgical venous cutdown in the intention-to-treat analysis (odds ratio, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.07; 2.15) and the as-treated analysis (odds ratio, 0.16; 95% CI, 0; 1.28). The procedure was shorter with surgery (median, 21 minutes; 95% CI, 14; 30) than with radiology (median, 45 minutes; 95% CI, 43; 50) (P < 0.001), and the dose of radiation was lower with surgery (median, 37 cGy/cm(2); 95% CI, 26; 49) than with radiology (200 cGy/cm(2); 95% CI, 200; 300) (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Central venous cannulation for insertion of TIAPs can be performed safely and effectively with both approaches. The open direct surgical access requires further strategies for successful placement of a TIAP, and percutaneous Seldinger technique requires more time and a higher dose of radiation and is associated with risk of pneumothorax.

Endovascular management of inadvertent subclavian artery catheterization during subclavian vein cannulation

PURPOSE

To retrospectively review a 9-year experience with endovascular management of inadvertent subclavian artery catheterization during subclavian vein cannulation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From June 2000 through July 2009 (109 months), 13 patients underwent endovascular management of inadvertent subclavian artery catheterization. All catheters were still in situ, including one 7-F catheter, six 8-F catheters, and six large-bore 10-11-F catheters. Treatment was performed with an Angio-Seal device (n = 6) or balloon catheters (n = 7) and by additional stent-graft placement (n = 4).

RESULTS

Mean follow-up was 27.3 months (range, 0.4-78 months). The 30-day mortality rate was 7.7% and the late mortality rate was 46.1%. Primary technical success was achieved in nine patients (69.2%), in four with the use of a compliant balloon catheter and in the other five with an Angio-Seal device. Complications required additional stent-graft placement in four patients (30.8%), one because of stenosis after Angio-Seal device deployment and three as a result of insufficient closure of the puncture site by balloon tamponade. Stent-graft repair was successful in all four patients, for a primary assisted technical success rate of 100%.

CONCLUSIONS

Endovascular techniques offer a less invasive alternative to surgery. The present limited experience shows that the use of the Angio-Seal device is not without risks, whereas balloon tamponade is not always reliable in closing the puncture site. Stent-graft placement may be required in patients in whom balloon tamponade fails or in whom the use of the Angio-Seal device is contraindicated.