A new technique to remove a “stuck” totally implantable venous access catheter

Removal of a totally implantable venous access device (port) is usually a simple procedure; however, if a catheter has been in place for a very long period, it may adhere firmly to the vessel wall. We report a new technique to facilitate removal of a stuck catheter. A 16-year-old girl was admitted for removal of her port, which had been inserted for chemotherapy 11 years earlier. After her disease was controlled, the catheter could not be pulled out during surgery. To remove the catheter, we inserted a guidewire to straighten the catheter and then applied a "push-in" force to detach the adherence from the central vein. The catheter was then removed successfully. We believe that this is a new and simple method for removing a "stuck" catheter.