Objective: To compare two different routes of totally implantable venous access ports (TIVPs) from the upper arm vein and the subclavian vein in terms of complications for patients with gastrointestinal malignancy.
Methods: Patients who underwent implantations of TIVPs from September 2013 to January 2015 were retrospectively evaluated. The outcome measurements were rates and types of postprocedural early-stage and long-term complications.
Results: A total of 208 patients(upper arm vein group, 86; subclavian vein group, 122) were included in this study. All TIVPs were implanted successfully. The rate of catheter displacement was higher in upper arm vein group(14.0% vs 5.7%, P=0.04), while other postprocedural early-stage complications had no significant difference between the two groups. The occurrence of transfusion obstacle and rates of overall postprocedural long-term complications were significantly lower in upper arm vein group than that in subclavian vein group(1.2% vs. 9.8%, P=0.02; 7.0% vs. 27.0%, P=0.01, respectively).
Conclusion: Compared with subclavian vein group, upper arm vein group has lower postprocedural long-term complication rates and is recommended as a safe and comfortable choice for port implantation.