DELAYED COMPLICATIONS FOLLOWING LONG-TERM CENTRAL VENOUS CATHETER PLACEMENT IN PEDIATRIC ONCOLOGY CASES

Abstract

Introduction: Modern chemotherapy protocols in pediatric oncology necessitate the deployment of central venous catheters. The duration of catheter usage ranges from several months to a year. Typically, long-term central venous catheters (LCVC), including external tunneling (ETLCVC) and totally implanted (TILCVC) variations, are employed for this purpose. Aim: This study aims to assess the superiority of ETLCVC over TILCVC and to evaluate the occurrence of delayed complications, specifically focusing on catheter occlusion, dislocation of the catheter and catheter – related thrombosis, following the placement of central venous catheters. Material and Methods: This prospective interventional clinical study encompassed 120 pediatric patients, aged 2-14 years, diagnosed with leukemia, lymphomas and solid tumors. The participants were stratified into two groups (n=60). Group 1 received ETLCVC, whereas Group 2 underwent TILCVC placement. An informative interview was conducted with the eligible patients' parents, and written consent for study participation was obtained. Results: In the group of patients with an implanted ETLCVC, four patients had a dislocation of the catheter, three patients had a catheter occlusion, two patients had a catheter – related thrombosis. In the group of patients in whom a TILCVC was implanted, one patient had an dislocation of the catheter, one patient had catheter occlusion, and there wasn’t any patient with catheter – related thrombosis. Conclusion: Incidence of delayed complications (catheter occlusion, dislocation of the catheter, and catheter –related thrombosis) in our study were more frequent in patients in whom ETLCVC was applied, but this difference did not have statistical significance.