Interval between Port Catheter Flushing Can Be Extended to Four Months

BACKGROUND: Little is known about proper interval periods between the flushings of totally implantable access ports after completion of chemotherapy. Manufacturer guidelines recommend flushing catheters every 4 weeks. METHODS: This retrospective study examined whether flushing less than every 4 weeks conferred any benefit. RESULTS: 349 totally implanted access ports were divided into four groups based on the different durations of the intervals between flushings. Sixteen (4.6%) complications were observed in the study population. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that extending the flushing interval to up to 4 months remains medically safe and drastically reduces the costs.