Central venous catheters (CVC) are widely used today in the management of patients with malignant disease. In the present study, local and systemic complications related to implantation and use of long-term central venous access catheters are retrospectively analysed. Over an eight-year period, 500CVC were implanted for chemotherapy of malignant disease and for support in bone marrow transplants. Two types of CVC were used: 322 totally implantable (with subcutaneous ports) and 178 semi-implantable (with external segment). The CVC were implanted percutaneously or by surgical dissection. The CVC were used from three days to 74 months (mean of4.8 months). Complications that needed active treatment, prolonged hospital stay or resulted in catheter removal were included in this study. Minor complications were excluded. The types and number of complications observed were: Anesthetic: severe bronchospasm (one); tracheal perfuration causing neck emphysema (one). Surgical: dehiscence of the incision (two); neck hematoma (three); temporary vagus nerve injury (three); lymphocele (one); thoracic duct fistula (one). Venous: acute jugular vein thrombosis (three); subclavian vein thrombosis (five); superior vena cava syndrome (three).Catheter-Related: acute local infection (three); late bacteremia (39); catheter thrombosis (48); skin erosion over the catheter/port (three); torsion of the port (dois); catheter fracture (dois). Overall, 119 complications occurred, fora cumulative rale of 23, 8 %. No one complication was fatal. Implantation and use of long-term CVCs are associated with frequent, sometimes severe complications. However the benefits of long-term CVCs in patients who need reliable venous acess for long periods of time outweight the risks of such complications.
Central venous catheter; Indwelling venous catheter; Venous access