The effect of virtual reality on pain, fear, and anxiety during access of a port with huber needle in pediatric hematology-oncology patients: Randomized controlled trial

PURPOSE

Port needle insertions are painful and distressing for Pediatric Hematology-Oncology patients. Virtual Reality (VR) can be used during needle-related procedures in these patients. This study aimed to investigate the effect of VR distraction during access to the venous port with a Huber needle in reducing needle-related pain, fear, and anxiety of children and adolescents with cancer.

METHODS

This randomized controlled study used a parallel trial design guided by the CONSORT checklist. The sample of children (n = 42) was allocated to the VR group (n = 21) and the control group (n = 21). Port needle-related pain was assessed using the Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale after the procedure. Before and after the port needle insertion procedure, anxiety and fear assessed using self- and parent-report using the Children's Anxiety Meter and Child Fear Scale. The primary outcome was the patient-reported pain scores after the procedure and fear and anxiety scores before and after the procedure. Pain, anxiety, and fear scores of the two groups and within groups were analyzed and also Spearman correlation analysis was used.

RESULTS

Self-reported pain scores of patients in the VR and control group were 2.4 ± 1.8 and 5.3 ± 1.8, respectively. This study found a statistically significant difference between groups in pain scores (p < .001). A statistically significant difference was found between groups according to the self- and parent-reported fear and anxiety scores after the procedure. Self-reported fear scores in the VR and control group were 0.8 ± 0.9, 2.0 ± 1.0, self-reported anxiety scores were 2.9 ± 2.0, 5.4 ± 2.0, respectively (p < .001).

CONCLUSION

Virtual reality is an effective distraction method in reducing port needle-related pain, fear, and anxiety in Pediatric Hematology-Oncology patients. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04093154.

Successful percutaneous transvenous retrieval of intravascular fractured port catheter: a single center experience

BACKGROUND

Fractured catheter as a foreign body in situ is a rare complication after port catheter placement. We report a single center's experience on percutaneous transvenous retrieval of intravascular fractured port catheter and treatment techniques.

METHODS

Patients undergoing percutaneous transvenous retrieval of intravascular fractured port catheter from Jan 2010 to Dec 2018 were retrospectively collected. A total of 10 patients (8 females and 2 males) were enrolled in this study. Procedures were performed within 1 day after diagnosis. Two methods of retrieval were considered, direct retrieval by gooseneck snare and guide wire as media to retrieve were used in the procedure.

RESULTS

All the fractured catheters in 10 patients were successfully retrieval by 2 methods, direct retrieval by gooseneck snare(n = 6) and guide wire as media of retrieval(n = 4). The time interval between port catheter implantation and discovery of catheter fracture was 36.50 ± 42.99(ranged 1 to 146) days. The operation time was 24.10 ± 8.32(ranged 10 to 36) minutes. No immediate procedure related or 1 month follow-up complications occurred in all the 10 patients.

CONCLUSION

Percutaneous transvenous retrieval of intravascular fractured port catheter is a simple and safe procedure, which maybe recommended as the first choice for patients with fractured port catheter in situ.

Dermal securement of port catheters in obese patients

BACKGROUND

Port catheters are often used for patients who require long-term central venous access. However, thick subcutaneous fat may obscure the port location and limit the degree to which the port is palpable. We describe a method to improve port catheter placement in overweight and obese patients.

METHODS

Port catheters were placed in three overweight and obese patients after a diagnosis of malignancy. Rather than securing the port onto muscular fascia as is typically done, securing sutures were directed toward the dermis, elevating the port toward the skin and creating skin dimpling for visual reference.

RESULTS

There were no intra- or postoperative complications. The ports remain visible and palpable >9 months after placement and there have been no reported difficulties with access.

CONCLUSION

This method improves visualization of the port location and facilitates palpation of the port during Huber needle access.

CT-Guided Translumbar Placement of Permanent Catheters in the Inferior Vena Cava: Description of the Technique with Technical Success and Complications Data

PURPOSE

To evaluate indications, technical success rate and complications of CT-guided translumbar catheter placement in the inferior vena cava for long-term central venous access (Port and Hickman catheters) as a bail-out approach in patients with no alternative options for permanent central venous access.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study included 12 patients with a total of 17 interventions. All patients suffered from bilaterally chronically occluded venous vessels of their upper extremities, without patent internal jugular and/or subclavian veins. Catheter implantation was performed as a hybrid procedure with CT-guided translumbar access into the inferior vena cava with subsequent angiography-guided catheter placement of a Hickman-type catheter (7×) or a Port catheter (10×).

RESULTS

All interventions were technically successful. The total 30-day complication rate was 11.8% (n = 2). The two detected complications were bleeding at the subcutaneous port hub and subcutaneous kinking of the venous tube. Mean follow-up time was 68.4 ± 41.4 months (range 3.4-160 months). Six patients (50%) died during follow-up from non-procedure-related complications associated with the underlying disease. Late complications occurred in 8/17 (47.1%) cases and were infections of the catheter system in 35.3% (n = 6), mechanical defect of the catheter system in 5.8% (n = 1) and dislocation of the catheter system in 5.8% (n = 1). The overall infection rate was 0.77 per 1000 catheter days.

CONCLUSIONS

CT-guided translumbar placement of permanent catheters is a technically feasible and safe method for permanent central venous access as last resort in chronically occluded veins of the upper extremities.

Performance of venous port catheter insertion by a general surgeon: a prospective study

As part of the vascular access procedures, venous ports, commonly referred to as catheters, are placed under the skin to enable safe and easy vascular access for administration of repeated drug treatments. 122 patients who had received a venous port catheter insertion procedure in the general surgery department between January 1012 and January 2014 were involved in this study. Patients were divided into two groups: those who had undergone a fluoroscopy (group 1) and those who had not undergone a fluoroscopy (group 2). Complications that emerged during and after the port catheter insertion procedure and successful insertion rates were recorded in the database. Data of these patients were presented in a prospective manner. There were 92 to 30 patients in groups 1 and 2, respectively. In group 1, the mean age was approximately 56.8, total catheter stay time was 20,631 days, and mean time of port use was 224.2 days. In group 2, the mean age was approximately 61.2, total catheter stay time was 13,575 days, and mean time of port use was 452.5 days. Successful insertion rate was 100% and 90% in groups 1 and 2, respectively (P < 0.05). The proper insertion of the port catheter accompanied by monitoring methods can decrease procedure-related complications. Statistical comparisons between the two groups in terms of malposition and successful insertion rates also support this view (P < 0.05). The findings support the view that in cancer patients, a venous port catheter insertion accompanied by a fluoroscopy can be safely performed by general surgeons.

Endovascular technique using a snare and suture for retrieving a migrated peripherally inserted central catheter in the left pulmonary artery

We report a successful endovascular technique using a snare with a suture for retrieving a migrated broken peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) in a chemotherapy patient. A 62-year-old male received monthly chemotherapy through a central venous port implanted into his right subclavian area. The patient completed chemotherapy without complications 1 mo ago; however, he experienced pain in the right subclavian area during his last chemotherapy session. Computed tomography on that day showed migration of a broken PICC in his left pulmonary artery, for which the patient was admitted to our hospital. We attempted to retrieve the ectopic PICC through the right jugular vein using a gooseneck snare, but were unsuccessful because the catheter was lodged in the pulmonary artery wall. Therefore, a second attempt was made through the right femoral vein using a snare with triple loops, but we could not grasp the migrated PICC. Finally, a string was tied to the top of the snare, allowing us to curve the snare toward the pulmonary artery by pulling the string. Finally, the catheter body was grasped and retrieved. The endovascular suture technique is occasionally extremely useful and should be considered by interventional cardiologists for retrieving migrated catheters.

Cerebral air embolism via port catheter and endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography

Background

Cerebral air embolism (CAE) is a critical clinical condition necessitating rapid diagnosis and therapeutic measures.

Methods

The authors describe two patients with lethal CAE.

Results

An 81-year-old man rapidly developed coma with tetraplegia. CT-scan revealed prominent CAE whereby the entry of the air was via a port catheter for parenteral nutrition. A 45-year-old man with severe alcohol-toxic multiple organ damage needed endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) and a second esophagogastroscopy. After an epileptic seizure, the CT-scan of the brain showed small amounts of cerebral air in the posterior right hemisphere and in the sagittal superior sinus. Despite critical care the patient died.

Conclusion

CAE is a neurocritical emergency case. Early CT-scan of the brain can detect air, guide further therapy, and contribute to the assessment of the prognosis.