Fluoroscopic guided implantation of central venous brachial ports by radiologists.

Purpose: To assess the safety and effectiveness of fluoroscopic guided brachial implanted central-venous miniport systems. Patients and methods: In 32 oncological patients a central-venous miniport system (Vital-Port(TM), CPC-Cook) was implanted in the forearm. The group included 15 women and 17 men (range 33-78, mean 56 years). Results: Technical success was 100%, in 6 patients vasospasm produced difficulties in catheter placement. In a total of 2878 patients days (range 3-445, mean 90 days) 5 complications occurred (15.6%,1.7 on 1,000 catheterdays): In one patient (3.13%, 0.35/1000d) the system was changed due to leakage of the catheter near the chamber. Four patients had minor complications: in one case excision of a suture line granuloma was necessary, one haematoma at the site of the chamber was treated with dressing, one patient had a wound dehiscence and one occluded catheter returned to patency by flushing the system with contrast material. Venous thrombosis, phlebitis, catheter dislocation, paravasation or system-related infection did not occur. Conclusion: Fluoroscopic guided peripheral central-venous port implantation is a safe and easy procedure with a high success rate and a low complication rate which can be performed in an outpatient setting.