Sujit M. Pradhan MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Danny Zhi Ma MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Patricia Colleen Lee MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Michael Steven Salomon MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Our objective was to compare the time, cost and complication rates for surgical versus interventional radiology placed ports.

A retrospective analysis of 35 consecutive surgical and 40 consecutive interventional Radiology cases of port placement was performed. Factors examined were cost, procedure time, OR time, and rates of immediate and delayed complications. Cost includes port, supplies, nursing staff, physician professional fees, anesthesia, and post operative chest radiograph if necessary.

The results showed no significant difference in the complication rates following each procedure(p>0.05). Surgical operating room time and procedure time were significantly less than interventional radiology. Operating room time was on average 19 minutes less than radiology(p<0.01). Procedure time for surgery was on average 27 minutes shorter than radilogy(p<0.001). Interventional radiology had a 100% success rate while surgery had a 97% success rate(1 failed port placement).Interventional radiology placement of a chest wall port is $1,567 less($6,156 vs. $4,589)than a similarly placed port by surgery. Cost savings are even greater ($3,542) if anesthesia is not utilized by radiolgy. Only 25% of radiology patients required intravenous sedation. On the other hand surgical port placement required anesthesia in all cases.

Ports placed by interventional radiology are more cost effective than surgery with a similar complication rate. Surgery procedure time and OR time were significantly shorter than radiology, although this may be explained by interventional radiology including preparation time, which surgery does not include.

Radiologic port placement compared to surgical placement may help control spiraling medical costs associated with venous access.

Pradhan, S, Ma, D, Lee, P, Salomon, M, Surgical versus Radiologic Placement of Ports: A Comparison of Cost, Time, and Complications.  Radiological Society of North America 2006 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 26 - December 1, 2006 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2006/4439085.html