Hepatic arterial catheter/port for intra-arterial chemotherapy

Background and indications

This device is offered for patients requiring prolonged hepatic intra-arterial chemotherapy, particularly for colorectal liver metastases or intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Benefits

Direct delivery into the hepatic artery allows much higher chemotherapy doses to the liver with fewer systemic side effects than intravenous chemotherapy.

Procedure

Under general anesthesia or deep sedation, a catheter is placed in the hepatic artery via the femoral route or in the operating room. Some digestive arteries may be preventively embolized to protect the stomach and duodenum. The catheter is connected to an implantable subcutaneous port.

Risks

Risks include catheter displacement, port infection, hepatic artery thrombosis or digestive ulcers if chemotherapy diffuses outside the liver.

Recovery and follow-up

2-3 day hospitalization. A control CT scan with catheter perfusion is performed before each chemotherapy cycle to verify proper positioning and absence of leaks.

Practical information

General anesthesia. Hospital stay: 2 to 3 nights.