Introduction
Central venous chest ports are typically implanted as long-term points of vascular access for cancer patients for the administration of chemotherapy.[1] Correct positioning of the tip is important to ensure appropriate function and to avoid complications such as venous perforation, thrombosis, arrhythmias, retrograde injection, and overall dysfunction of the port. Malposition of the catheter tip may occur due to improper initial placement or changes such as weight loss, as seen with the progression of many types of cancer. This report provides additional support for the percutaneous shortening of port-a-cath and expands on technique and outcomes.[2]
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Discussion
Current standard for central venous port catheter revision is surgical and involves excision of the port pocket which increases the risk of infections and pain at the incision site.[4] The new port is either placed in the same pocket or anew on the same or contralateral chest. The described technique for percutaneous endovascular port revision is effective at shortening too-long central venous catheter port tips and bypasses the surgical complications of the traditional methods. Percutaneous endovascular port revision provides a faster and safer technique performed through a single vascular puncture site at the neck, which most likely proves more comfortable to the patient given the lack of need for an incision.[2]
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