UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS FOR MEDICAL SCIENCES

MEDICAL CENTER

PROCEDURE

PROCEDURE:

190

EFFECTIVE:

2/05

REVISION:

 

APPROVED:

11/07

PROCEDURE FOR ADMINISTERATION OF INTRAPERITONEAL CHEMOTHERAPY (IP)

(CHEMOTHERAPY ADMINISTERED DIRECTLY INTO THE ABDONIMAL AND PELVIC CAVITY)

 

PURPOSE:   To provide directions for the administration of intraperitoneal chemotherapy

 

EQUIPMENT:  

  1. Subclavian Catheter Care Kit

  2. 1 Huber Needle (non-coring needle) 20 or 22 gauge

  3. 1 package of steri-strips

  4. 2 10 ml syringes

  5. 2 18 gauge needles

  6. 2-3 2X2 gauze dressing or 1 band-aid

  7. 2 20ml vials of normal saline

  8. 1 sterile specimen cup (if ordered to obtain specimen)

  9. IV tubing with Y site or peritoneal dialysis tubing (with Y site and drainage bag if drainage is ordered.)

  10. IP chemotherapy in 500 ml-2000 ml normal saline                             

 

PROCEDURE STEPS:

 

ACCESSING THE PORT

Using sterile procedure, access the IP per Nursing Procedure #182 “ Procedure for the Use and Maintenance of Implantable Infusion Port”.

 

KEYPOINT:  Peritoneal ports should not have a blood return.

 

ADMINISTRATION OF CHEMOTHERAPY

  1. Warm infusate to body temperature using IV fluid warmer.
  2. Infuse chemotherapy as ordered and leave in abdominal cavity.

 

KEYPOINT:  The patient must be instructed to turn from side to side every 15 minutes for 2 hours after infusion to increase distribution of chemotherapy in the abdominal cavity.

 

KEYPOINT:   Chemotherapy generally should be infused into the abdomen as rapidly as possible.  Fluid amount for chemo and also post infusion fluid will vary.  Sometimes the chemo is placed in 2000 ml and no further fluid is placed after the infusion is complete; sometimes it is placed in less fluid and followed with a liter of normal saline.

 

REMOVAL OF NON-CORING NEEDLE

Refer to Procedure #182 “Use and Maintenance of Implantable Infusion Port”.

 

POTENTIAL COMPLICATIONS

  1. Pain from abdominal distention, adhesion formation
  2. Dyspnea, respiratory distress
  3. Bacterial Peritonitis
  4. Chemical Peritonitis
  5. Wound exit site infection
  6. Other adverse effects secondary to the chemotherapeutic agents used
  7. Possible extravasation of chemotherapy/fluid if needle is dislodged
  8. Occlusion of catheter
  9. Possible bowel perforations

 

REFERENCES:   

Almadrones, L., Yerys, C. (1990).  Problems associated with Intraperitoneal Therapy given through the Port A Cath System.  ONF.

Oncology Nursing Society Clinical Practice Committee. (1996).  Venous Access Device Guidelines-Module II Ports & Reservoirs. Oncology Nursing Society.

 

RESOURCE PERSON(S):   Donna Dunn, ANP, MNSc; Tonie Durrett, RN, MNSc; Susan Smithwick, RN, BSN