The aim of this randomized controlled study was to compare ultrasound-guided procedure with the Seldinger's technique for placement of implantable venous ports. A total of 214 patients were randomized to receive TIAP placement by either ultrasound-guided procedure or the Seldinger's technique. Complications and pain perception were compared between these two groups. No severe perioperative or periinterventional complication occurred. Significantly (P < 0.05) lower pain perception was observed in the ultrasound-guided group. Seldinger's technique group showed higher rate in incidence of early and late complications including catheter dislocation, catheter occlusion, venous thrombosis, fever of unknown origin, skin necrosis, and sepsis. In conclusion, both techniques, the TIAP implantation via ultrasound-guided jugular vein puncture and via Seldinger's technique subclavian vein puncture, are feasible and safe. Regarding intrainterventional pain perception and implantation-related complications, the jugular vein puncture under ultrasound guidance seems to be advantageous.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence and risk factors of infections associated with totally implantable venous-access ports (TIVAPs) in our hospital. From April 2007 through November 2013, a total of 1,026 patients with TIVAP were included in this study. We retrospectively analyzed the incidence of port-related infection, patient characteristics, and history. Risk factors for IVAP-related infection were determined statistically. Overall, 97 (9.59 %) of 1,026 infectious cases were reported. By reviewing the medical record of the patients, we found that younger age, hematogenous malignancy, and palliative chemotherapy were associated with higher infection incidence rate in patients who had implanted TIVAP (P < 0.05) in the subgroup analysis. In contrast, gender and insertion site were irrelevant factors in predicting the infection risk. Overall, TIVAP were proved to be safe and effective. Younger age, hematogenous malignancy, and palliative chemotherapy were associated with higher infection in patients who had implanted TIVAP.

Background: Peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) is widely used in chemotherapy due to its minimal complications and simple wound care. This study explored the effects of tai chi on catheterrelated complications, catheter management ability, and quality of life in tumor patients with PICC at the intermission of chemotherapy.Methods: This study was an open parallel trial. A total of 98 patients with malignant tumors who underwent long-term chemotherapy with PICC were randomly divided into an observation group (49 cases) and a control group (49 cases). The control group received grip strength exercise for 3 months, while the observation group received 24 simplified tai chi exercises. The coagulation function, thrombosis rate, self-management ability, and quality of life were compared between the two groups before and after the intervention.Results: After the intervention, the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and prothrombin time (PT) in the observation group were longer than those in the control group, while fibrinogen (FIB) was lower than that in the control group (all P<0.05). After the intervention, the total score of self-management ability of the observation group was higher than that of the control group (t=2.038, P=0.047), and the scores of exercises ability and quality of daily life with catheters were significantly increased (all P<0.05). In terms of quality of life, scores of role-physical (RP), social functioning (SF), mental health (MH) and role-emotional (RE) in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (all P<0.05), while there was no statistical difference between the bodily pain (BP) scores of the observation group and the control group (P>0.05). The incidence of venous thrombosis in the observation group was lower than that in the control group, the difference was statistically significant ( χ 2 =4.439, P=0.035).Conclusions: Tai chi can prevent PICC thrombosis, reduce PICC-related complications, improve selfmanagement ability, and improve quality of life in at-home patients with long-term PICC.