Ultrasound-guided totally implantable venous access device through the right innominate vein in older patients is safe and reliable.

AIM: Ultrasound guidance has become the routine method for catheterization, dramatically reducing failure and complication rates for totally implantable venous access devices (TIVAD) placement. The aim of the present study was to report the safety and efficacy of ultrasound-guided right innominate vein TIVAD placement in older patients.

METHODS: Between September 2015 and September 2017, 55 older patients underwent right innominate vein TIVAD placement under ultrasound guidance. Intraoperative fluoroscopy was always carried out. The technical success rate and complications were recorded and retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS: The technical success rate was 100%. The success rate of the first puncture was 96.36% (53/55). The mean operation time was 28 ± 7 min (range 23-39 min), and the mean length of catheter introduction was 19.24 ± 2.65 cm (range 17-21 cm). The overall incidence of complications was 7.27% (4/55), including one arterial puncture with self-limiting hematoma, two cases of catheter-related infection and one case of fibrin sheath. No catheter malposition or catheter fracture was observed. At the time of this study, three TIVAD were pulled out unexpectedly, and 32 TIVAD are still in functional use.

CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound-guided puncture of the right innominate vein is safe and reliable to implant TIVAD, which can provide new options for older patients. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 218-221.