Comparing internal jugular vein and subclavian vein for central venous insertion of implantable ports in cancer chemotherapy: a meta-analysis of RCTs

BackgroundCentral venous access for cancer chemotherapy is crucial for patients undergoing long-term treatment. The internal jugular vein (IJV) and subclavian vein (SCV) are commonly used for implantable port insertion, though the optimal choice remains debated. This meta-analysis aims to compare th...

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Main Authors: Qianqian Li, Xuemei Peng, Xia Leng, Suping Xiao, Meilan Min, Shufang Wan, Jianyun Wen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Oncology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1566757/full
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author Qianqian Li
Xuemei Peng
Xia Leng
Suping Xiao
Meilan Min
Shufang Wan
Jianyun Wen
author_facet Qianqian Li
Xuemei Peng
Xia Leng
Suping Xiao
Meilan Min
Shufang Wan
Jianyun Wen
author_sort Qianqian Li
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundCentral venous access for cancer chemotherapy is crucial for patients undergoing long-term treatment. The internal jugular vein (IJV) and subclavian vein (SCV) are commonly used for implantable port insertion, though the optimal choice remains debated. This meta-analysis aims to compare the safety and effectiveness of IJV and SCV for central venous implantable port insertion in cancer chemotherapy patients based on randomized controlled trials (RCTs).MethodsWe systematically reviewed RCTs comparing IJV and SCV for implantable port insertion. The primary endpoint was complication, while secondary endpoints included procedure failure rate, procedure duration, patient satisfaction, and pain perception.ResultsA total of 7 studies based on 6 RCTs met the inclusion criteria. The baseline characteristics (age, sex, port side, and duration of implant) of patients in both groups were comparable. According to patient-reported outcomes, the SCV group experienced higher rates of total complications (risk ratio [RR]: 0.52 [0.29, 0.93], P = 0.03, I2 = 71%), catheter misplacement (RR: 0.51 [0.27, 0.96], P = 0.04, I2 = 35%), and port/catheter-related bloodstream infections (RR: 0.37 [0.17, 0.81], P = 0.01, I2 = 0%). Similarly, according to catheter days, the SCV group achieved higher rates of total complications (RR: 0.48 [0.35, 0.67], P < 0.0001, I2 = 29%) and port/catheter-related bloodstream infections (PRBIs) (RR: 0.32 [0.14, 0.72], P = 0.006, I2 = 0%). Pain perception (mean difference [MD]: -1.60 [-1.93, -1.27], P < 0.00001) was also worse in the SCV group. However, the duration of the procedure (MD: 11.55 [0.57, 22.54] minutes, P = 0.04, I2 = 97%) was longer in the IJV group. The procedural failure rate was comparable between the two groups.ConclusionsFor cancer chemotherapy patients, the IJV appears to be a safer and less painful alternative to the SCV for central venous port insertion.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42025641904.
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spelling doaj-art-3fc14ffc57494749b596ebed2586a6ba2025-08-20T02:34:10ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Oncology2234-943X2025-05-011510.3389/fonc.2025.15667571566757Comparing internal jugular vein and subclavian vein for central venous insertion of implantable ports in cancer chemotherapy: a meta-analysis of RCTsQianqian Li0Xuemei Peng1Xia Leng2Suping Xiao3Meilan Min4Shufang Wan5Jianyun Wen6Specialized Medical Department, Jiangxi Cancer Hospital & Institute (The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College), Nanchang, ChinaDepartment of Breast Oncology Surgery, Jiangxi Cancer Hospital & Institute (The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College), Nanchang, ChinaSpecialized Medical Department, Jiangxi Cancer Hospital & Institute (The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College), Nanchang, ChinaSpecialized Medical Department, Jiangxi Cancer Hospital & Institute (The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College), Nanchang, ChinaSpecialized Medical Department, Jiangxi Cancer Hospital & Institute (The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College), Nanchang, ChinaSpecialized Medical Department, Jiangxi Cancer Hospital & Institute (The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College), Nanchang, ChinaDepartment of Head and Neck Oncology Radiation Therapy, Jiangxi Cancer Hospital & Institute (The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College), Nanchang, ChinaBackgroundCentral venous access for cancer chemotherapy is crucial for patients undergoing long-term treatment. The internal jugular vein (IJV) and subclavian vein (SCV) are commonly used for implantable port insertion, though the optimal choice remains debated. This meta-analysis aims to compare the safety and effectiveness of IJV and SCV for central venous implantable port insertion in cancer chemotherapy patients based on randomized controlled trials (RCTs).MethodsWe systematically reviewed RCTs comparing IJV and SCV for implantable port insertion. The primary endpoint was complication, while secondary endpoints included procedure failure rate, procedure duration, patient satisfaction, and pain perception.ResultsA total of 7 studies based on 6 RCTs met the inclusion criteria. The baseline characteristics (age, sex, port side, and duration of implant) of patients in both groups were comparable. According to patient-reported outcomes, the SCV group experienced higher rates of total complications (risk ratio [RR]: 0.52 [0.29, 0.93], P = 0.03, I2 = 71%), catheter misplacement (RR: 0.51 [0.27, 0.96], P = 0.04, I2 = 35%), and port/catheter-related bloodstream infections (RR: 0.37 [0.17, 0.81], P = 0.01, I2 = 0%). Similarly, according to catheter days, the SCV group achieved higher rates of total complications (RR: 0.48 [0.35, 0.67], P < 0.0001, I2 = 29%) and port/catheter-related bloodstream infections (PRBIs) (RR: 0.32 [0.14, 0.72], P = 0.006, I2 = 0%). Pain perception (mean difference [MD]: -1.60 [-1.93, -1.27], P < 0.00001) was also worse in the SCV group. However, the duration of the procedure (MD: 11.55 [0.57, 22.54] minutes, P = 0.04, I2 = 97%) was longer in the IJV group. The procedural failure rate was comparable between the two groups.ConclusionsFor cancer chemotherapy patients, the IJV appears to be a safer and less painful alternative to the SCV for central venous port insertion.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42025641904.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1566757/fullinternal jugular veinsubclavian veinimplantable portcomplicationmeta-analysisrandomized controlled trials
spellingShingle Qianqian Li
Xuemei Peng
Xia Leng
Suping Xiao
Meilan Min
Shufang Wan
Jianyun Wen
Comparing internal jugular vein and subclavian vein for central venous insertion of implantable ports in cancer chemotherapy: a meta-analysis of RCTs
Frontiers in Oncology
internal jugular vein
subclavian vein
implantable port
complication
meta-analysis
randomized controlled trials
title Comparing internal jugular vein and subclavian vein for central venous insertion of implantable ports in cancer chemotherapy: a meta-analysis of RCTs
title_full Comparing internal jugular vein and subclavian vein for central venous insertion of implantable ports in cancer chemotherapy: a meta-analysis of RCTs
title_fullStr Comparing internal jugular vein and subclavian vein for central venous insertion of implantable ports in cancer chemotherapy: a meta-analysis of RCTs
title_full_unstemmed Comparing internal jugular vein and subclavian vein for central venous insertion of implantable ports in cancer chemotherapy: a meta-analysis of RCTs
title_short Comparing internal jugular vein and subclavian vein for central venous insertion of implantable ports in cancer chemotherapy: a meta-analysis of RCTs
title_sort comparing internal jugular vein and subclavian vein for central venous insertion of implantable ports in cancer chemotherapy a meta analysis of rcts
topic internal jugular vein
subclavian vein
implantable port
complication
meta-analysis
randomized controlled trials
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1566757/full
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