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Table 1 Definitions of peri- and post-operative complications

From: Frequency of pneumothorax and haemothorax after primary open versus closed implantation strategies for insertion of a totally implantable venous access port in oncological patients: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Complication

Definition

Intra-operative lesion of nerves

Clinical diagnosis and/or EMG findings

Dislocation of the catheter and/or the port chamber

Radiological finding

Incompatibility of contrast agent

Any allergic reaction against a contrast agent needing medical treatment with drugs

Thrombosis

Sonographic findings and/or phlebography

Post-operative bleeding

Clinical diagnosis during reoperation

Haematoma

Clinical diagnosis, no reoperation necessary

Disconnection or breakage of the catheter

Radiological findings, findings after explantation

Extravasation of injected fluid

Radiological findings and/or clinical diagnosis

Wound infection

Clinical diagnosis, wound has to be reopened and/or antibiotic treatment

Catheter sepsis

Two or more of the following symptoms:

 

Temperature over 38.3°C or under 36°C;

Heart rate over 90 beats per minute;

Respiration rate over 20 breaths per minute, PaCO2 < 32 mmHg (spontaneous breathing) or PaO2/FiO2 < 200 mmHg (mechanical ventilation);

Total peripheral WBC count >12 G/L or WBC <4.0 G/L or >10% immature neutrophils (bands), regardless of total peripheral WBC count;

Plasma C-reactive protein >2 SD above normal value and positive findings in bacteriology of the port catheter pike

Cutaneous necrosis

Clinical diagnosis and/or histological finding

Pinch-off phenomenon

Radiological findings and/or clinical diagnosis

  1. EMG: electromyography; PaCO2: partial pressure of carbon dioxide; PaO2: partial pressure of oxygen; FiO2: fraction of inspiratory oxygen; mmHg: millimetres of mercury; WBC: white blood cells.