Outcomes and complications of single-longitudinal incision technique for totally implantable venous access ports in the upper arm

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to assess the technical feasibility and safety of single-longitudinal incision technique for totally implantable venous access ports (TIVAPs) in the upper arm. Materials and Methods The medical records of all patients who underwent image-guided implantation of TIVAPs adopting single-longitudinal incision technique in the upper arm were retrospectively reviewed at Shanghai Changzheng Hospital between 1 June 2017 and 30 December 2023. The success rates, technical difficulties, procedure times, and immediate and delayed complications of the procedure were evaluated. Results A total of 123 patients underwent image-guided implantation of TIVAPs in the upper arm, including 59 men and 64 women with a mean age of 58.86 ± 12.88 years. This study included a total of 62376 TIVAPs catheter-days (median 507 catheter-days, range: 9–1660 catheter-days). No TIVAP-related mortality was observed throughout the study. Technical success was achieved in all patients, with 96 using the basilic vein and 27 using the brachial vein. The mean fluoroscopy time was 12.3 ± 13.4 seconds, and the mean procedure time was 15.4 ± 2.9 minutes. A total of 17 (13.8%) patients developed complications, among which 9 (7.3%) had subcutaneous ecchymosis, 5 (4.1%, 0.008/1000 catheter-days) developed infections, 2 (1.6%, 0.003/1000 catheter-days) experienced catheter occlusion, and 1 (0.8%, 0.002/1000 catheter-days) had thrombosis. The TIVAPs were removed in 31 cases and still in use in the remaining 69 cases. Conclusions The single-longitudinal incision technique is feasible and safe for implanting TIVAP in the upper arm, which is an alternative approach to traditional port implantation.