Effectiveness of mechanical recanalization for intraluminal occlusion of totally implantable venous access ports

Purpose: To evaluate if the mechanical injection of saline is effective in restoring patency of a totally implantable venous access port (TIVAP) with an intraluminal occlusion. Materials and methods: From January 2017 to June 2019, 64 cases of dysfunction of a TIVAP were referred to interventional radiology. Among these, 16 cases showed normal function of the TIVAP, 19 cases the showed the appearance of a fibroblastic sheath, and 29 cases showed intraluminal occlusion. Mechanical recanalization was performed for intraluminal occlusion of the TIVAP with an indeflator and a 20G non-coring needle. Linograms were performed in all recanalized cases. The success or failure of recanalization and the pressure of the indeflator were recorded. Linograms were evaluated for breakage or migration of catheters. Medical records were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Among the 29 intraluminal occlusion cases, 24 cases (82.7%) were recanalized by mechanical recanalization via an indeflator. The pressure of the indeflator ranged from 29 to 220 psi (median: 118 psi). Linograms revealed breakage of the catheter of the TIVAP in two failed cases. The median interval from implantation to dysfunction was 405 days (range: 43–1723 days). The median interval from last use to dysfunction was 8 days (mean: 15.4 days; range: 1–119 days). The median re-occlusion free period after successful mechanical recanalization was 100.5 days (range: 6–859 days). Conclusion: In the absence of an available thrombolytic agent, mechanical injection of saline was a tolerable alternative method for restoring occluded catheters and sustaining the function of catheters. Because breakage of the catheter can occur during mechanical recanalization of a TIVAP, a linogram should follow the procedure.