Risk Factors for Totally Implantable Central Venous Access Port-related Infection in Patients With Malignancy

Abstract

Background: We sought to identify the risk factors of totally implantable central venous access port (TICVAP)-related infections in patients with malignant disease.

Patients and methods: Overall, 324 consecutive patients who received a TICVAP at our institution were retrospectively analysed. We further analysed cases of TICVAP-related complications. The risk factors for TICVAP-related infection were investigated using Cox regression hazard models.

Results: With a median TICVAP duration of 268 days (range=1-1,859 days), TICVAP-related complications were observed in 36 cases and infectious complications in late phase were the most common, seen in 19 cases (9.26%). A multivariate analysis showed that patients with head and neck malignancy (p<0.001) and patients who received TICVAP insertion in the upper arm (p<0.001) were independently at a higher risk for TICVAP-related infections.

Conclusion: Patients with head and neck malignancy or TICVAP insertion in the upper arm have potentially increased risk for late-phase TICVAP-related infections.

Keywords: Totally implantable central venous access port; head and neck malignancy; infection; upper arm vein.