GROSHONG CATHETERS FOR LONG TERM CENTRAL VENOUS ACCESS; TWO YEARS EXPERIENCE FROM SINGLE CENTER.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the survival rate and main reasons of failure of tunneled central venous catheters (Groshong). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cross-sectional analysis. PLACE OF STUDY: Department of Interventional Radiology, Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad. DURATION OF STUDY: Two years (January 2010 to December 2011) MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was carried out on 72 patients in whom Groshong catheters were placed and then followed from January 2010 to December 2011. The data was collected from hospital information system (HIS) and patients medical record, and was analysed for different indicators such as catheter survival and main reasons of its failure. RESULTS: Of 72 patients, half of patients were lost to follow. Among the remaining half, 19 (52.7%) catheters achieved their desired function. Among remaining 17 catheters, 5 were removed due to blockage and 12 due to infection with infection rate of 0.46 per 1000 catheter days. The catheter survival rates according to Kaplan Meier analysis at 1, 3 and 6 month were 82%, 47% and 42% respectively. CONCLUSION: Groshong catheters can be used as vascular access for longer duration especially in oncology patients. Infection is commonest reason of their premature removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]