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Complication-related Removal of Central Venous Ports: Comparison of Subclavian and Upper Arm Approaches

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Purpose: To compare overall and cause-specific complication-related central venous port removal, particularly infection-related removal and catheter fracture, and time-to-event outcomes between the subclavian and upper arm approaches. Material and Methods: This retrospective study included 1,195 patients who underwent ultrasound-guided central venous port implantation via the subclavian (n = 706) or upper arm (n = 489) approach between 2012 and 2021. Comparative analyses were restricted to a maximum of 5 years after implantation. A total of 621,902 catheter-days were analyzed. The evaluated outcomes were overall complication-related central venous port removal and cause-specific removals, including infection-related removal, catheter fracture, malposition, occlusion, leakage, and venous thrombosis. Crude incidence rate ratios were estimated using Poisson regression, adjusted incidence rate ratios using a negative binomial model, and removal-free survival using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Results: = 0.234), whereas infection-free and fracture-free survival differed significantly. Conclusions: Overall complication-related removal rates were similar between the approaches, but complication profiles differed.

Source: Interventional Radiology

DOI: 10.22575/interventionalradiology.2026-0027