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ACIBADEM SISTINA’S PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL INTRODUCES A MODERN SYSTEM FOR MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION (CENTRAL VENOUS PORT) FOR CHILDREN WITH SEVERE DISEASES

04.09.2020

AcibademSistina Pedijatrija

With the opening of the new Pediatric Hospital and the Department of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery and Intensive Care, a new modern system for therapy administration in children with the most severe diseases was implemented for the first time, i.e. implantation of a so-called subcutaneous venous port. Dr. Vladimir Chadikovski, head of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Department, says that the hospital has fully trained staff to perform this procedure. The team includes pediatric cardiologist/vascular surgeon, pediatric hematologist-oncologist, pediatric anesthesiologists, intensive care pediatricians, pediatric radiologists, cardiologists experts in electrophysiology and trained nurses for treatment of children requiring such a device. The facility has rooms with negative pressure for protection against infections and two catheterization operating rooms.

“With this procedure, Acibadem Sistina’s new Pediatric Hospital shows that it cares for children needing IV access for several weeks or months”, says Dr. Chadikovski.

He explains that this intervention is applied to children in need of cytostatic therapy, intravenous nutrition or intravenous fluids. The port is used for frequent blood sampling, blood and blood components donation, hemodialysis, administration of coagulation factors, and other long-term therapy in chronically ill children.

The subcutaneous port is actually a central venous catheter that is placed under the skin, usually under the right collarbone. It consists of a subcutaneous chamber that allows for the injection or administration of medications and a catheter – small tube inserted into larger blood vessels that allow medications and nutrients to reach the bloodstream. The subcutaneous port in children is inserted under general anesthesia in compliance with all sterility protocols, by performing the procedure in a catheterization operating room under ultrasound control.

“In our hospital, care is also provided for the port, which includes mandatory flushing of the catheter with heparin every 4 weeks, as well as removal of the port when it is no longer needed. A port can stay in place for a very long time, relieving children of the pain and stress of frequent needle sticks. Placement under the skin provides security from removal or displacement of the central venous catheter. And the risk of vascular irritation is also reduced”, says Dr. Chadikovski.

detska kardiohirurgija operacija

He claims that in some types of ports more than one medicine or solution can be given at a time. The port requires less maintenance and care as it is completely under the skin and does not require daily flushing. He also explains that the long-term risk of infection is lower compared to other venous catheters.

This is extremely important and Acibadem Sistina Hospital thus proves that it cares for the children by using the most modern equipment. Subcutaneous port placement is a common procedure in the treatment of malignant diseases in children and has important benefits for patients and families.

It is important to note that surgical complications of subcutaneous port placement are lower than 2%.

Dr. Chadikovski says that Acibadem Sistina offers complete and thorough information to families, as well as education regarding the maintenance and care of the port.

detska kardiohirurgija operacija