Korean J Radiol.  2004 Dec;5(4):266-273. 10.3348/kjr.2004.5.4.266.

Fixation Methods for Implantable Port Chamber: Comparative Study Using Glue, Self-stabilizing Leg and Suture Fixations in Rabbits

• Na HI
• Shim HJ
• Kwak BK
• Kim HJ
• Lee YC

• KMID: 1118834
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/kjr.2004.5.4.266

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the fixation strength and tissue reaction of the glue fixation and self-stabilizing leg fixation methods and to compare the results with those of the conventional tagging suture fixation method. MATER AND METHODS: Twelve healthy rabbits were selected and three different methods of implanting the port chamber were employed on the back of each rabbit. A total of thirty six port chambers were implanted with these three different methods, viz. the glue fixation method using tissue adhesive, the self-stabilizing leg method using a self-expandable stabilizing leg, and the suture fixation method. The fixation strength and the gross and histopathologic changes of each fixation method were evaluated at three days, one week, two weeks and four weeks after port implantation. RESULTS: The glue fixation method showed a good fixation strength, which was similar to that of the tagging suture method (p=0.3486). Five of the six ports (83%) implanted with the glue fixation method which were examined after two weeks showed cracks on the external surface, but this had no adverse effects on their function. A large amount of granulation tissue reaction was found at the bottom of the chamber (p=0.0025). The fixation with the self-stabilizing leg showed relatively lower fixation strength (p=0.0043), but no turning-over of the chamber occurred. The fixation strength improved with time after the first week, and minimal granulation tissue reaction was observed with this method. CONCLUSION: The glue fixation method exhibited equal fixation strength compared to the suture fixation, but showed cracking and a large amount of granulation tissue, whereas the fixation with a self-stabilizing leg showed weaker fixation strength.

Keyword

Catheters and catheterization, technology; Interventional procedures, comparative studies; Interventional procedures, experimental; Soft tissues

MeSH Terms

Alloys
Animals
Capillaries/cytology/metabolism/pathology
Cell Proliferation
Device Removal
Enbucrilate/therapeutic use
*External Fixators
Fibroblasts/metabolism/pathology
Granulation Tissue/blood supply/metabolism/pathology
*Implants, Experimental
Models, Animal
Rabbits
Sutures/*utilization
Time Factors
Tissue Adhesives/*therapeutic use

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Photographs of the port chamber with the self-stabilizing leg fixation device (A; top view, B; bottom view). The self-stabilizing leg fixation device (B) is attached to the bottom of the port chamber.

• 

  Fig. 2 Simple radiogram of a ports-implanted rabbit in the prone position. The scattered whitish dots (arrowheads) around the port chamber indicate the presence of lipiodolized glue. The self-stabilizing leg (arrow) port can be seen in the right upper quadrant and the conventional tagging sutured port chamber can be seen in the right lower quadrant.

• 

  Fig. 3 Histopathologic findings (H & E staining, ×200) (A, B) show capillary proliferation, fibroblast proliferation and inflammatory cell infiltration on the 2nd (A) and 4th (B) week specimens. The collagen deposition can be seen as a purple color on Masson-Trichrome staining (C, D) on the 2nd (C) and 4th (D) week specimens (×200). The findings were similar in all three groups.

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