Intra-arterial hepatic chemotherapy: A comparison of percutaneous versus surgical implantation of port-catheters

Purpose To compare retrospectively the safety and efficacy of percutaneous and surgical implantations of portcatheters for intra-arterial hepatic chemotherapy (IAHC). Materials and Methods Between January 2004 and December 2008, 126 consecutive patients (mean age 58 years) suffering from liver colorectal metastases were referred for intra-arterial hepatic chemotherapy (IAHC). Port-catheters were percutaneously implanted (P) through femoral access with the patient under conscious sedation when no other surgery was planned or were surgically implanted (S) when laparotomy was performed for another purpose. We report the implantation success rate, primary functionality, functionality after revision, and complications of IAHC. Results The success rates of implantation were 97% (n = 65 of 67) for P and 98% (n = 58 of 59) for S. One hundred eleven patients received IAHC in our institution (n = 56P and n = 55S). Primary functionality was the same for P and S (4.80 vs. 4.82 courses), but functionality after revision was significantly higher for P (9.18 vs. 5.95 courses, p = 0.004) than for S. Forty-five complications occurred during 516 courses for P and 28 complications occurred during 331 courses for S. The rates of discontinuation of IAHC linked to complications of the portcatheters were 21% (n = 12 of 56) for P and 34% (n = 19 of 55) for S. Conclusion Overall, significantly better functionality and similar complication rates occurred after P versus S portcatheters.