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. 2021 Jun 4;8(3):252-256.
doi: 10.1016/j.ijnss.2021.05.005. eCollection 2021 Jul 10.

A retrospective observational study on maintenance and complications of totally implantable venous access ports in 563 patients: Prolonged versus short flushing intervals

Yuejiao Zhang  1 , Ruiyi Zhao  1 , Nan Jiang  1 , Yun Shi  1 , Qianmi Wang  1 , Ye Sheng  1
Affiliations

A retrospective observational study on maintenance and complications of totally implantable venous access ports in 563 patients: Prolonged versus short flushing intervals

Yuejiao Zhang et al. Int J Nurs Sci. .

Abstract

Objectives: To assess whether the extension of the flushing interval will increase risks of complications associated with totally implantable venous access port (TIVAP) in the off-treatment period.

Methods: A retrospective single-center observational study was performed. Patients with a TIVAP in the off-treatment period that underwent regular flushing in our clinic were included. Data concerning patients and their TIVAPs were recorded. Patient baseline characteristics and TIVAP-related complications were analyzed. Continuous variables were analyzed by ANOVA or the Kruskal-Wallis H test. To compare the occurrence of TIVAP-related complications, the chi-square test was used; if needed, Fisher's exact test was used.

Results: Totally 607 patients were reviewed, and 563 patients were finally included. Thirteen complications were recorded, including 11 cases of catheter occlusion (1.95%), one case of port cannula rotation (0.18%), and one case of catheter tip malposition (0.18%). No device-related infection or venous thrombosis was recorded. Among these patients, the average flushing interval was 35.27 ± 13.09 days. Patients were divided into three groups according to the flushing interval: every 28 days or less (Group 1, n = 133); every 29-44 days (Group 2, n = 350); and every 45 days or more (Group 3, n = 80). No significant difference in catheter-related complications was found among the three groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusions: In the TIVAP off-treatment period, patients without any history of TIVAP-related complications during approximately one year can attempt to prolong the flushing interval to more than 4 weeks; we further suggest that 5-6 weeks may be an appropriate option for these patients.

Keywords: Central venous access devices; Complications; Flushing interval; Outpatients.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Indwelling duration of the TIVAP for the three groups TIVIP = totally implantable venous access port. ○: outlier; ∗:extreme outlier.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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