Implantation of a port-catheter system through the superior mesenteric artery for repeated hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy

Between March 1999 and March 2006, 292 patients at the authors' institution required placement of a percutaneously implantable port-catheter system through which repeated hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy would be administered. In 10 patients, the port-catheter system was implanted through the superior mesenteric artery. In these patients, implantation through the superior mesenteric artery instead of the celiac artery was necessary because all hepatic arteries arose from the superior mesenteric artery or because the blood supply to almost all tumors was from a hepatic artery arising from the superior mesenteric artery. Implantation of the port-catheter system was successful without complications in these 10 patients.