Evaluation the Catheterization Complications in Referred for Chemotherapy

Since the first implant, performed by Nieder uber and colleagues in 1982, these systems have increasingly been used in the field of oncology. These devices can be implanted through either a surgical or percutaneous procedure. Venous access allows physician to deliver medicine directly into your bloodstream without repeatedly puncturing the blood vessels. Physicians also use venous access devices to supply fluids, draw blood and give blood transfusions. This study has been undertaken with an aim to study the complications due to catheter insertion in cancer patients referring to Imam Reza Hospital in Tehran, Iran from 2008-2010 to undergo chemotherapy. 100 patients suffering from cancer admitted in Imam Reza Hospital in Tehran for chemotherapy were the study cases. Our inclusion criteria were: not using any anticoagulant nor antibiotics in last one month and not suffering from thrombocytopenia. In the operation room patients were anaesthetized and catheterized using subclavian vein. Soon after catheterization patients were under vigilance for any complication. Out of 100 patients suffering from cancer admitted in Imam Reza Hospital in Tehran for chemotherapy 57 were men and 43 were women. Their age ranged from 14 to 80 years with mean age of 42 ± 9.8 years. Malfunctioning of the access device was the commonest complication in our study. It was noticed in 15% of cases followed by bleeding (3%) and infection (2%). Malpositioning of the catheter tip and ambolization of catheter were noticed in 1% of cases. We did not notice any other complication. Physician performing the implant should be fully versed in the puncture technique and in our study an experienced surgeon with proper care provided by the hospital staff in ICU led to lesser complications and even absence of certain complications like pneumothorax and hemothorax which are usually following the subclavian catheterization. Most complications are minor and usually go away in a few days and patients achieve safe and less painful vascular access, facilitate treatment of many medical disorders, and improve patients’ quality of life by giving them unrestricted mobility and freedom in their activities.