Single‐use percutaneous catheters for intraperitoneal P³² therapy

Background. Intraperitoneal (IP) radioactive chromic phosphate (P³²) remains investigational in the treatment of patients with ovarian and/or endometrial cancer. Single‐use percutaneously placed catheters offer the advantage of therapy without additional surgery. Methods. Between August, 1986 and October, 1992, 25 patients underwent bedside percutaneous catheter placement under local anesthesia without ultrasonographic or radiologic guidance, using a specialized central venous catheter. Results. Catheter insertion was successful in 22 of 25 patients (88%) with good IP distribution. Of these, 18 of 22 patients (82%) underwent successful catheter placement with one attempt and 4 of 22 (18%) after one to three additional attempts. The technical failure rate was 12%. Multiple catheter placement attempts were associated with an increased incidence of complications (r = 0.63). Bowel entry occurred in 4 of 25 patients (16%) during 5 of 43 attempts at catheter placement (12%) but was without clinical sequelae. The likelihood of bowel entry significantly increased with more than two attempts (P = 0.02). A median of 39 days (range, 7–156 days) elapsed between the preceding laparotomy and catheter insertion. Conclusions. Percutaneous catheter placement is successful and well tolerated in the majority of patients and should be considered for patients receiving IP P³².