Complications associated with 9–10 Fr venous access port use in adjuvant intraperitoneal chemotherapy after a cytoreductive surgery in ovarian cancer patients

PurposeTo determine the complication rate associated with using a single-lumen intravenous access port with a silicone catheter of 9–10 Fr size in the intraperitoneal treatment, including hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, in ovarian cancer.Patients/methodsWe reviewed 27 patients who had subcutaneous venous access ports placed for the administration of IP chemotherapy. With four patients, the catheter was implanted during a hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy-related laparotomy using the closed technique. Each case was categorized as to the number of cycles of IP therapy received.ResultsSeven catheter-related complications were noted. These were divided into two categories: six malfunctions (24%) and one infection (4%). Overall, of the patients who had IP catheters placed and received IP chemotherapy, 13 (54.2%) were able to complete the six regimens. Among the four (14.8%) patients who had the catheters planted directly following the HIPEC, one experienced a catheter leak, one an infection and one concluded the treatment successfully; one is still being treated.ConclusionsA subcutaneous single-lumen intravenous access port with a silicone catheter of a large size (9–10 Fr) is related to a lower rate of catheter-related complications than previously reported open-ended Tenckhoff catheter treatment. An additional advantage is the possibility of removing the catheter as an office procedure under local anesthesia. Intraperitoneal chemotherapy following a HIPEC procedure may cause increased occurrence of catheter-related complications. As of 2010 we have been using silicone subcutaneous catheters in our center.