[Chemotherapy via tunneled central venous catheter left in place between drug courses. Prospective study in 98 ambulatory patients].

Chemotherapy is normally given during several months and requires a good vascular access. Repeated injections of cytotoxic agents are harmful for peripheral veins. We report here a prospective study on 98 ambulatory patients provided with a tunneled central venous catheter left in situ between drug administration. The catheter is inserted either in the subclavian or the internal jugular vein. Between chemotherapy drugs injection, heparin is given once a week in the catheter. Among the several advantages reported with this technique: easiness of drug injection, comfort of patients, possibility of new insertions in an other site in case of occlusion and the low cost. This technique is a "routine" at the Institut Curie since 5 years. Advantages and side effects of this technique are compared with arterio-venous shunting or totally implantable devices used by other authors.