Experience with a totally implantable venous device in children
C. H. Pegelow, M. Narvaez, S. R. Toledano, J. Davis, C. Oiticica and D. Buckner
Venous access was attained in 15 children by use of a totally implantable
central venous catheter and reservoir. Catheters were in place from 28 to
581 days, giving a cumulative experience of 4,094 days. Although they were
well accepted by physicians, parents, and the children, they were not
without major complications. These included extravasation of a
chemotherapeutic agent in one, migration of the catheter tip to an
unacceptable location in another, and catheter thrombosis and
catheter-related sepsis in two each. The malpositioned catheter, one of the
thrombosed catheters, and both infected catheters were removed. Ease of
care, freedom from protruding tubing, and compatibility with normal
activities are major positive features of the implantable devices that
should be considered when deciding on the type of prolonged central venous
access for use in children being treated with cancer.
