Effectiveness of Permanent Implantable Catheter (Polysite) in Children with Cancer

Background Totally implantable central venous access devices (ports) have been available for over 10 years, but have not been achieved widespread use in pediatric oncology patients. Ports facilitate the administration of chemotherapy in children with cancer. Materials and Methods In this study, early complications of implantable central venous access devices in children with different type of cancer was taken under investigation. All of the complications were recorded by staff nurses by checklist for one week. The study included 68 patients with different cancer (lymphoma-leukemia-sarcoma and wilms’ tumor) who were treated between April 2007 and November 2011 in oncology department of Dr Sheikh hospital, Mashhad University of medical science. Results Venous ports were placed in 26 (38.2%) girls and 42 (61.8%) boys aged between 2 and 12 years old (mean: 6 years).We implanted all of the venous ports in patients for chemotherapy, and port implantation procedures were performed by a experienced Pediatric Surgery. 3 cases (4.4%) have needle access site infections which were controlled with antibiotics. Catheter leakage in 3 cases (4.4%), port-catheter disconnection in 4(5.8%) cases and occlusion of the system in 5 cases (7.4%). In this period, there were no major complications. Conclusion With proper placement technique and adequate nursing care, they represent a definite improvement in child cancer therapy. Ports can provide satisfactory for the majority of pediatric oncology patients, with a low risk of line-related complications and a high degree of acceptability to children and their parents.