Hepatic vein migration of a totally implantable venous access port-a-cath for chemotherapy in a breast carcinoma patient: case report

Abstract

A totally implantable venous access port (TIVAP) is used for chemotherapy administration. Venous port migration to the systemic circulation occurs in less than 1% of complications. The aim of this study is to describe a case of TIVAP migration to the hepatic vein. A 44-year-old female patient with breast cancer was prescribed neoadjuvant chemotherapy. A port-a-cath was surgically implanted for chemotherapy. During the port puncture procedure, blood returned normally when aspirated. When the port was first accessed and flushed with saline solution, swelling was observed at the port site and blood could no longer be aspirated. A chest radiography showed catheter embolization in the region of the hepatic vein. The catheter was retrieved using a snare technique (without complications) and the patient was discharged the next day. The care team should be alert to possible TIIVAP malfunction.