Use of port-a-cath in cancer patients: a single surgeon experience

Objectives: To indicatea single surgeon's experience in using of port-a-cath in patients who have cancer and discover the most frequent complications encountered with such procedure during a particular period in a single institution. Methods: A subcutaneous port catheter was received in a potential study between 2015 and 2018 by 130 patients; Data on implantation complications and complications during usage of the catheter have been collected. Results: The procedure was performed with an average of 44 minutes in most of the patients under local anesthesia. Many patients had their catheters inserted with almost no intraoperative complications through the right internal jugular vein. Postoperative complications arisen in 17 patients (13.1%).In 5 patients, complications occurred in the form of port site infection (3.8%), 3 patients blocked catheter (2.3%), venous thrombosis in 3 patients (2.3%), In 3 patients, persistent fever with a positive blood culture (2.3%), puncture site hematoma in 1 patient (0.8%), skin necrosis in 1 patient (0.8%) and upside down tilt of the hub in 1 patient (0.8%). Conclusion: In modern oncology, Port-a-cath is a reliable and effective venous access but associated with a certain risk of complications. Medical staff should give care for both the patient and catheter to reduce the risk of complications.