The Comparison of Central Venous Port Catheters in Gastrointestinal Cancer Treatment

10 The infusional chemotherapy regimen, especially in gastrointestinal cancers, has a long-term need for central venous catheterization. Implantable ports (IP) are increasingly used for the administration of chemotherapy and supportive treatment to cancer patients. The IPs may be complicated with thrombosis in both upper and lower extremities, during placement or long-term follow-up which is associated with treatment delay, increasing financial burden, morbidity and mortality.1-6 IP thrombosis is mostly seen in the first three months and rarely seen beyond this period. The most preferred location for IPs is the subclavian vein, which is implanted by the Seldinger technique via a cephalic vein.7 In appropriate patients, femoral IPs can also be used.8 The main cause of thrombosis is considered to be direct vascular damage.4,9,10 There are mainly three mechanisms of IP thrombosis. The first mechanism is an acute reaction of clotting, which is induced with a fibrin sheath and is related to the subsequent risk of thrombosis. The second mechanism is the lumen thrombosis of the catheter, which may be thawed with thrombolytic agents. Blood vessel thrombosis is the most severe The Comparison of Central Venous Port Catheters in Gastrointestinal Cancer Treatment