Safety and efficacy of PICC-ports in oncology patients: A retrospective cohort study from a Colombian tertiary care center
Fredy A Watts-Pajaro, Patricia Vélez, Jonnathan Ocampo, Carlos Osorio, Mile Yohana Rodriguez, Ana Clarete, Mario Miguel Barbosa RengifoBackground:
Peripherally inserted central catheter ports (PICC-ports) combine peripheral insertion with implantable reservoirs, offering reduced invasiveness compared to chest ports. Evidence from Latin America remains limited.
Objective:
To evaluate the safety, efficacy, and device survival of PICC-ports in oncology patients at a Colombian tertiary care center.
Methods:
Retrospective cohort study of 50 consecutive adult cancer patients receiving PICC-ports (January 2023-December 2024). All procedures were performed using ultrasound guidance and intracavitary electrocardiographic navigation under local anesthesia.
Results:
Technical success: 100% (95% CI: 92.9%–100%). No early complications occurred. Late complications occurred in 4% of patients: one case of catheter-related thrombosis and one case of catheter dislodgement. Overall complication rate: 3.1 per 10,000 catheter-days (95% CI: 0.35–2.07). Median dwell time: 117 days. Catheter retention: 94.0% at 30 days, 89.2% at 90–180 days.
Conclusions:
PICC-port implementation achieved excellent safety outcomes comparable to international benchmarks, supporting its use as an alternative to chest ports in resource-constrained settings.