Surgical placement of totally implantable venous access device-an institutional experience.

Objectives: To investigate the advantages and disadvantages of Totally implantable venous access devices (TIVAD) catheter in pediatric age group and also to review this subject in the recent literature and compare the results with the present results.

Methods: A total of 61 cases, 2 mo to 14 y old, were included in the index study. TIVADs were implanted in these patients for chemotherapy. The device was inserted under general anesthesia (GA) by open technique. All the children were followed up for a mean period of 7.2 mo.

Results: Out of 61 cases, 9 cases had complications; 3 requiring removal of the port due to infection and in one case the device had to be reinserted due to malpositioning, one had late wound dehiscence with exposed port chamber which needed operative correction and four had minor wound infections. There was no mortality. Complications like hemo or pneumothorax, arterial puncture, hematoma formation were very less with open technique of insertion of the port. Most patients and their parents were satisfied with TIVAD.

Conclusions: Thus, TIVAD can be a useful device for many chronic patients who need an IV access for multiple injections especially in pediatric age group.