Totally implantable venous access ports via the external jugular vein: Safety and effectiveness for young pediatric patients

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Various venous approaches are possible during implanting a totally venous access port. The veins, which are commonly used in pediatric patients are internal and external jugular veins. Comparison of different venous approaches has been discussed in a few reports only. The present study reviews the complication rate, operation time of implanting the port via different veins in children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 2003 to December 2005, 94 venous access ports were implanted in 88 consecutive patients in the Pediatric Surgical section of the Taipei Veterans General Hospital. The patients were classified according to the vein used. Group A (n=45), the external jugular vein access group; and group B (n=43), the internal jugular vein access group. RESULTS: The operation time in group A and B were 38.4±11.1 and 57.6±20.3 min, respectively. The mean operation time of group A was significantly shorter than that of group B (P<0.001). The overall complication rates in group A and B were 8.5%, and 19.1%, respectively. These differences, however, were not significant (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The external jugular vein approach has a shorter operation time and a lower complication rate than the internal jugular vein approach. This approach may be a method of choice in selected pediatric patients.