Application of Ultrasound Combined with DSA-guided Single-incision Technique via Axillary Vein Access in Implantation of Totally Implantable Venous Access Port

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the technical feasibility and safety of a single-incision technique via axillary vein (AV) for placement of totally implantable venous access port (TIVAP) guided by ultrasound combined with DSA in clinical application. Methods We retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 240 patients who received TIVAP by single incision technique via AV access guided by ultrasound combined with DSA. We observed and recorded operation-related information such as AV width, AV puncture success rate, implantation success rate, ultrasound-guided puncture time, operation time and intraoperative and postoperative complications, etc. Results All 240 patients were successfully implanted with TIVAP, and the success rate was 100%. In 229 cases, TIVAP was implanted through single-incision AV puncture under the guidance of ultrasound combined with DSA, and the success rate of AV puncture was 95.42% (229/240). In 11 cases, TIVAP was implanted through the ipsilateral internal jugular vein (IJV) under the guidance of ultrasound combined with DSA due to the failure of AV puncture. In the 240 patients, the average width of AV of the intended puncture segment was (7.56±1.26) mm measured by preoperative ultrasound exploration and positioning, in which 195 cases were successfully punctured once, 26 cases were successfully punctured twice, and 8 cases were successfully punctured three times, with the success rate of 81.25%, 10.83% and 3.34%, respectively. The average puncture time under ultrasound guidance was (0.85±0.52) min, and the average operation time was (25.9±4.8) min. The incidence of intraoperative complications was 1.67% (4/240). No hemothorax, hemopneumothorax or serious fatal complications occurred. The incidence of complications during TIVAP retention was 2.92% (7/240). No complication such as catheter-related bloodstream infection, catheter-related venous thrombosis, catheter rupture/displacement, clipping syndrome or drug extravasation was observed. Conclusion Ultrasound combined with DSA guided single-incision technique via AV access in the implantation of TIVAP is a feasible and safe implantation method with high technical success rate, short operation time and low risk of complications. It can be used as another choice of TIVAP implantation method.

Keywords

• ultrasound
• dsa
• single-incision
• axillary vein
• totally implantable venous access port