Comparison of implantable central venous ports with catheter insertion via external jugular cut down and subclavian puncture in children: single center experience.

<bold>Purpose: </bold>The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the efficacy, safety and long-term advantages of catheter insertion via external jugular vein (EJV) cut down for implantable central venous port in children.<bold>Materials and Methods: </bold>Thirty-nine central venous ports were implanted with catheter insertion via subclavian puncture in the children (group 1) with average age of 4.2 years. Forty-three were done by inserting the catheter via EJV cut down in the children (group 2) with average age of 4.8 years. Ports remained functional for a total of 11,890 patient days in group 1 and 15,743 patient days in group 2.<bold>Results: </bold>The ports were unplanned removed in 28.2% of patients (11/39) in group 1 with comparison of 7.0% of patients (3/43; p < 0.01) in group 2. Five patients (12.8% of ports implanted) suffered an infectious complication in group 1 and just one patient (2.3% of ports implanted; p < 0.01) occurred in group 2. Permanent aspiration occlusion occurred in every two patients for each group with incidence of 5.1% in group 1 and 4.7% in group 2. Catheter fracture occurred in three patients in group 1 (7.7%). One case with catheter disconnected to the port was found in group 1 (2.6%). The disconnected catheter was removed from right ventricle by interventional therapy.<bold>Conclusion: </bold>Insertion of the catheter via the EJV cut down for implantable central venous port is significant better than insertion of the catheter via subclavian puncture in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]