Unequal pupil size in patients with unilateral red eye.

syndrome2-that is, manipulation by the patient. Cassey et al and Ball et al reported the use of a metal port in similar patients to ours and found a high incidence of problems including venous thrombosis, occlusion of the catheter, and detachment or fracture of the catheter.34 Cassey et al suggested that these ports should be used only in inpatients because of septic complications. Our only case of reversible occlusion of the catheter occurred while the patient was in hospital. Thrombosis of the catheters was avoided by flushing them after use and regular monthly flushing with heparinised saline (10 U/ml) when they were not in use. No cases of sepsis occurred despite self treatment at home. We attribute this to careful selection of the patients and training and to the nature of the infused fluid (antibiotics rather than nutrition or chemotherapy). A comparative study of different devices is required. The plastic implantable port is cheaper than alternative metal ports but more expensive than external silicone catheters, this being offset by the reduction in aftercare necessary and the lack ofseptic complications. We therefore recommend the use of the plastic implantable port in patients requiring intermittent but long term treatment with parenteral antibiotics. It is simple to insert and use, has a low rate ofcomplications, is relatively cheap, and is cosmetically preferable to the patient.