Safety and efficacy of PICC-ports in oncology patients: A retrospective cohort study from a Colombian tertiary care center

BACKGROUND: 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.