• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.240-245
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• 2007

It is important to treat cancer-related pain in cancer patients to ensure the life quality of the patient, as well as to improve their life span. It has been estimated that at least 5% of cancer patients have pain refractory to medical treatment. Therefore, the need for epidural or intrathecal analgesia with opioids and local anesthetics is indicated if systemic treatment has failed. Intrathecal catheter placement and implantation of the injection port for administration of opioids and local anesthetics may improve pain relief in patients who are unresponsive to epidural routes. Although intrathecal implantation has several complications, similar infection rates have been reported between intrathecal and epidural administration. In addition, intrathecal administration showed better outcomes, including improved pain control, lowered daily doses, and an improvement in the level of drowsiness experienced when compared to epidural administration. We report here a case in which a terminal cancer patient was treated using an intrathecal catheter and subcutaneous port. The patient had cancer-related pain that could not be controlled by epidural opioid administration. Based on the results presented here, we suggest that intrathecal implantation is a feasible long term pain management method for intractable cancer pain patients.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.266-270
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• 2006

A case of an epidural abscess, a rare but possibly devastating complication of epidural instrumentation and catheterization, which occurred in a cancer pain patient with an epidural port connected to the epidural catheter, is described. Although cases of a catheter related epidural abscess have been intermittently reported, those following epidural port implantation are very rare, with no case having been reported in Korea. Herein, the case of a 31-year-old man, who developed an epidural abscess 54 days after subcutaneous implantation of an epidural port connected to an epidural catheter, is reported. Methicillin-sensitive staphylococcus aureus was detected in a culture of the purulent discharge. Magnetic resonance imaging was essential, not only for the diagnosis of the epidural abscess, but also for determining the extent of spread. The patient refused further evaluation and treatment, and expired 22 days later.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.202-207
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• 2013

Background: The role of totally implantable central venous port (TICVP) system is increasing. Implantation performed by radiologist with ultrasound-guided access of vein and fluoroscope-guided positioning of catheter is widely accepted nowadays. In this article, we summarized our experience of TICVP system by surgeon and present the success and complication rate of this surgical method. Materials and Methods: Between March 2009 and December 2010, 245 ports were implanted in 242 patients by surgeon. These procedures were performed with one small skin incision and subcutaneous puncture of subclavian vein. Patient's profiles, indications of port system, early and delayed complications, and implanted period were evaluated. Results: There were 82 men and 160 women with mean age of 55.74. Port system was implanted on right chest in 203, and left chest in 42 patients. There was no intraoperative complication. Early complications occurred in 11 patients (4.49%) including malposition of catheter tip in 6, malfunction of catheter in 3, and port site infection in 2. Late complication occurred in 12 patients (4.90%). Conclusion: Surgical insertion of TICVP system with percutaneous subclavian venous access is safe procedures with lower complications. Careful insertion of system and skilled management would decrease complication incidence.