Surgery of long-term catheters (LTC) in a bone marrow transplantation center

Abstract

The chapter discourse about the use of Long-Term Catheters (LTC) in a Bone Marrow Transplantation Center (BMTC), approaching surgical aspects with purpose to prepare surgeons to face critical hematological patients, whether in prepare of a BMT or in complex situations during or after the transplant. Established in a 2.000 procedures carry out by the author at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) is empathized, in didactic narrative to young surgeons, to give the guide of surgical practice necessary to the success of these catheters placement in BMTC. There are discussed features of the LTC by him self, like types and models, the convenient indication for each one, the usual technical approach to be adopted (including wide description of the Internal jugular vein access), the difficult situations with outstanding issues of the mediastinum anatomy pitfalls and the ways to by-pass it, and finally, the results and complications followed by the use of these systems specifically in patients of a BMTC.