Document Type : Original Article (s)
Authors
1
Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
2
Student of Medicine, Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
3
Associate Professor, Department of Surgeury, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Abstract
Background: Totally implantable central venous access (port-a-cath) is being used increasingly in patients with cancer for chemotherapy administration and other therapeutic procedures. We investigated the rate of port-related complications and patients’ satisfaction in these patients.Methods: We prospectively followed up 44 patients with acute leukemia who underwent port placement in Alzahra and Milad hospitals, Isfahan, Iran, between May 2012 and May 2013. Port-related complications were examined in detail and analyzed statistically. In order to evaluate the patients’ satisfaction, some questionnaires were filled in by patients.Findings: 46 port-a-caths were implanted in 44 patients. Two patients underwent a second placement after removal the first. No case of early complications was reported, in comparison to 16 cases (38.1%) of late complications consisted of rupture and/or migration (9.5%), thrombosis (11.9%), cellulitis (4.8%), bacteremia (14.3%), and erosion (2.4%). The mean patients’ satisfaction was 65.Conclusion: The most common complication reported in our study was the catheter-related blood stream infection. It is suggested that by multimodal educational programs for health care providers and patients, more than 50% of this complication could be avoided. Patients’ satisfaction relates to their background information, and incidence of complication.
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