Abstract
Objectives
A port-a-cath has become the cornerstone of supportive care and therapy for most childhood malignancies. It is routinely used in children for recurrent blood sampling or intravenous therapies. This study aimed to investigate the complications of port-a-cath insertion in children, the reasons for its removal or reinsertion, and to compare open and percutaneous techniques of insertion in pediatric patients with cancer in the northwest region of Saudi Arabia.
Materials and methods
This is a retrospective observational study, which reviews pediatric cases that underwent port-a-cath insertion between 2008 and 2017. Their medical records were assessed for patient characteristics, indications for insertion, the nature of port use, their reasons for removing them, and port-related complications.
Results
We included 64 patients who had a total of 79 port-a-cath insertions in this study. The median age at first insertion was 38 months (51.56% female, 48.44% male). The mean duration between the first insertion and the removal of the port-a-cath was 36 ± 17 months. The right internal jugular vein was used in most cases. The rate of complications at our institution was 9.38%.
Conclusions
In pediatric cancer patients, a port-a-cath can be safely used, is associated with minimal complications, and can be easily managed without serious complications. The most common complications were attributed to infections, followed by the malfunction and obstruction of ports.