A retrospective observational study on maintenance and complications of totally implantable venous access ports in 563 patients: Prolonged versus short flushing intervals.
Yuejiao Zhang, Ruiyi Zhao, Nan Jiang and 3 others
PMID 34307772WHAT IT FOUND
In 563 cancer patients with unused implanted ports, longer flushing intervals did not significantly increase port complications.
Total complication rates were 2.26%, 1.76%, and 5.00% in short, medium, and long interval groups.
Key findings
01Among 563 cancer patients with totally implantable venous access ports not in use, total port-related complication rates were 2.26%, 1.76%, and 5.00% across short, medium, and long flushing interval groups, with no significant difference (P = 0.28).
02Catheter occlusion was the most frequent complication and occurred in every group; occlusion incidence was 2.26%, 1.43%, and 3.75% across the three groups, with no significant difference.
03No patient developed infection during observation, and all catheter occlusions returned to patency after urokinase thrombolysis.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
It was a single-center retrospective record review, not a randomised trial, and patients were grouped by the flushing intervals they actually had rather than assigned to them. The study only included patients with open-ended single-lumen ports not in use for more than one month who had no port-related complications at inclusion, so it does not speak to patients currently receiving infusions through the port or with prior complications. Only 13 patients had complications, and the long interval group had 80 patients, so rare complications may not be detected reliably. The long interval group had a higher total complication rate (5.00%) than the short interval group (2.26%), but the difference was not significant (P = 0.28). The authors say prospective studies are needed and that no definite exact flushing interval can be concluded.
Declared interests
No funding was reported, and the authors declared no conflict of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read this as proof that flushing intervals can be lengthened for any port patient. The study only followed selected cancer patients with open-ended single-lumen ports not in use and no prior complications, and the long interval group had a higher total complication rate (5.00%) though not significant (P = 0.28).