The mystery of the occluded port that allowed blood withdrawal: Is it safe to use standard needles to access ports?

J Surg Oncol. 2013 Dec 6. doi: 10.1002/jso.23508. [Epub ahead of print]

The mystery of the occluded port that allowed blood withdrawal: Is it safe to use standard needles to access ports? A case report and literature review.

Cataldo R, Costa F, Vitiello M, Brescia F, Proscia P, Falco C, Carassiti M.

Source

Director of Anesthesia, Dept. of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, University-Hospital School of Medicine Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Rome, Italy.

Abstract

A frequent complication of totally implantable central venous access devices (TIVADs) is withdrawal occlusion. We describe a case of rare dysfunction of TIVADs: blood withdrawal was possible, whereas infusion was not. A further investigation demonstrated that during infusion, a silicone core, probably produced by hypodermic needle puncture, occluded the reservoir outlet hole. The silicone septum puncture by standard needles instead of non-coring ones may reduce the device effectiveness and expose patients to serious complications.