Prevention of catheter-related infections in pediatric oncology.

Abstract

Success in the treatment of cancer in children, made in the past decade is caused by the introduction of multimodal treatment programs, in which chemotherapy plays a leading role. Its effectiveness is due not only the development of pharmacology, but also the intensification of treatment protocols - increasing doses of chemotherapy, the number of courses and a reduction in the intervals between the courses. This, in turn, requires an accompanying complex therapy for the prevention and correction of complications and side effects. Because of the main route of administration as the chemotherapeutic and accompanying drugs is intravenous, it imposes strict requirements on the systems of central venous access. They must be secure, easy to use, once installed on the entire treatment period, to have a minimum percentage of complications during the installation and using and also not to reduce the quality of life of patients. Such conditions are especially important in pediatric oncology as any central venous catheterization in children is invasive procedure requiring general anesthesia. Currently, implantable venous port systems are met all of the above requirements.