PORTs versus PICCs for the management of vascular accesses in patients undergoing chemotherapy: evidence from the literature

Principal investigators: Carla Rognoni  

Team UB/Cergas: Carla Rognoni – Rosanna Tarricone  

Client: Becton Dickinson UK LTD

Duration: 7 months

Abstract:

Chemotherapy often requires central venous catheters to protect blood vessels from damage caused by repeated punctures and corrosive drugs. Two common options are centrally inserted totally implanted access ports (PORTs), which require surgery and monthly maintenance, and peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs), which are easier to insert, less expensive, and require weekly maintenance. While PICCs are favored for their ease of use, they have higher complication rates, such as infections and thrombosis. Existing studies comparing PICCs and PORTs are limited by narrow scopes, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive evaluation to guide their use in cancer care. The aim of this project is to support the decision-making process regarding the management options for patients requiring vascular access for chemotherapy. The primary goal is to gather all available clinical evidence on PICCs and PORTs to facilitate a comprehensive comparison. A secondary objective is to collect the economic evidence related to the two devices under consideration.

Methods:

A systematic literature review will be conducted and reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. The search will include randomized controlled trials (RCTs), prospective clinical trials, and observational studies. A comprehensive search strategy will be employed to address the four components of the PICO framework (Population, Intervention=PORT, Comparator=PICC, Outcomes) in searches of the PubMed and Web of Science databases. The search will focus on clinical outcomes (e.g., efficacy, safety), economic data, healthcare resource utilization, and health-related quality of life for the devices under consideration. Extracted data will be summarized both qualitatively and, if feasible, quantitatively (e.g., meta-analyses).