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Central venous catheter placement for access and monitoring purposes is one of the most commonly performed procedures in the intensive care unit. This article details the indications, techniques, and advantages and disadvantages associated with various approaches to central line insertion; complications associated with central venous line insertion are also reviewed briefly.
A new, long-term venous access catheter was evaluated in clinical practice and the insertion time, complication rate and prospective follow-up recorded. Fifty novel polyurethane catheters (Cuff-Cath) were inserted in 48 patients, for cytotoxic chemotherapy in 36, long-term total parenteral nutrition in five and miscellaneous indications in seven. All catheters were inserted by a percutaneous technique under local anaesthesia. The mean insertion time was 18 min. There were three insertion complications; failure to cannulate, pneumothorax and malposition. Seven catheters required removal (sepsis in five, subclavian vein thrombosis in two) and one catheter fell out. Total catheter days to date has been 6607 (mean 132, range 18-831 days). Eleven catheters are still in use a mean of 154 days (range 38-490 days) after insertion. Furthermore, a new technique has been described which prevents inadvertent displacement. This new catheter combines the mechanical advantages of polyurethane, together with those of a Dacron cuff. Early results suggest that this catheter may be a useful alternative to silicone catheters of the Hickman/Broviac type for long-term central venous access.
As more patients are requiring permanent central venous catheters (PCC) for long term venous access, several associated complications have become evident, including: 1, sepsis; 2, thrombophlebitis; 3, insertion complications, such as unsuccessful placement, bleeding and pneumothorax, and 4, PCC transection with tip embolization. At our institution, 162 PCC were placed by way of cutdown or percutaneously. Sepsis occurred in 20 per cent (0.13 septic episodes per 100 catheter days), nearly always involving immunocompromised patients. Twenty-five per cent resolved with use of antibiotics and without removal of PCC. Two patients presented with clinical thrombophlebitis; both were treated with removal of PCC and anticoagulant medication. Failure of insertion was highest with the cephalic cutdown approach, and pneumothorax was highest with the subclavian approach. Transection of PCC is associated with the percutaneous subclavian approach and is heralded by intermittent catheter function and a "pinch-off" sign on roentgenogram. Methods of preventing these complications are emphasized herein.
In order to identify potential problems and thereby minimise the risk of invasive vascular catheterisation, we conducted an analysis of these procedures in our medical intensive care unit with the aid of a computer database. During the 9-month study period 114 patients underwent 247 invasive vascular catheterisations, including pulmonary arterial (PA), central venous (CV) and arterial catheter insertions. Complications unique to PA catheterisation included burst catheter balloons (6%) and one serious episode of arrhythmia. The incidence of pneumothorax (2.8%) and inadvertent arterial puncture (2.2%) with PA and CV lines and our sepsis rate of 3.6% for all types of catheters are consistent with other studies. Arterial catheterisation proved to be relatively free of complications. Our study confirmed the safety of invasive vascular catheterisation. However, we review the precautions needed to limit potential complications.
This clinical study attempts to evaluate the effectiveness of Eustachian tube function in 30 ears, 11-29 months after insertion of the Silastic Eustachian tube prosthesis (SETP). Indications for the SETP were limited to persistent Eustachian tube dysfunction. Preoperatively, 13 patients had intact tympanic membranes with persistent serous otitis media. Seventeen patients underwent tympanoplasty and demonstrated persistent serous otitis media in the opposite ear. Postoperatively, aeration of the middle ear was evaluated by tympanometry, microscopic examination, and myringostomy. Microphotographs demonstrate the state of the middle ear. Histology of the middle ear mucosa was obtained in a few cases. Ninety-six percent of the ears with an SETP demonstrated confirmed persistent Eustachinan tube dysfunction beginning an average of six months after insertion. Complications were common.
24 patients (median age 71.5 years) with inoperable proximal malignant biliary obstruction were treated by insertion of endoscopic endoprostheses from January 1991 to August 1994. 10 patients had gallbladder cancer, 6 cancer of body or tail of pancreas, 5 cholangiocarcinoma and 3 other metastatic malignancy, respectively. 13 patients had type I, 10 had type II and 1 had type III proximal biliary stenosis (Bismuth classification). Stent occlusion or dislocation required a secondary stent insertion in 9 patients. In all cases there was adequate biliary drainage after stent insertion. Complications were: early cholangitis developed in 2 patients, late cholangitis in 5, stent dislocation in 3. One patient underwent an operation because of necrotising cholecystitis and subhepatic abscess. There was no bleeding, retroperitoneal perforation or pancreatitis. 18 patients died (median survival time 28 weeks) and 6 have been alive at the time of review for 15 weeks in average. Endoscopic stent insertion can be applied effectively also in the palliative treatment of proximal malignant biliary obstruction.
The necessity for preoperative ureteral catheter insertion for colorectal operations continues to be controversial. To determine our experience and what complications might be associated with ureteral catheter use, the charts of all patients in our department undergoing ureteral catheterization in combination with colorectal procedures between the years 1978 and 1989 were reviewed. The indications for operation, the presence or absence of urinary tract symptoms, and intravenous pyelogram findings (if performed) were recorded. Time for the procedure, size and number of catheters, and complications were noted. From the operative report, a retrospective grading of necessity for ureteral catheterization was assessed according to a scale from A to D. There were 120 ureteral catheterizations performed, bilaterally in 60 per cent of cases. Complications included renal colic (1), oliguria (1), and anuria (2). Intraoperatively, one ureter was cut and one ureter tied but recognized by palpation and ligature removed. Retrospective grading deemed ureteral catheterization necessary in 27.5 per cent of cases. We conclude that catheters are helpful in selected cases. For patients with bilateral catheter insertion, complications can be reduced by ensuring urine output prior to removal of the second catheter.
OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical outcomes and cost for high-risk critical care patients with peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICCs). DESIGN: A prospective descriptive study. SETTING: A private acute care facility. SUBJECTS: Ninety-seven consecutive PICC insertions in four critical care units per physician order. Five subjects were excluded due to five abortive attempts. Data were analyzed on 92 PICC insertions. Age range was 23 to 92 years. OUTCOME MEASURES: Frequency of insertion complications, postinsertion complications, and cost factors were measured. RESULTS: When subjects were in critical care areas, catheters remained in place a mean of 10 days with a range of one to 50 days. After patient transfer with catheters in place to acute care areas (medical-surgical units), convalescent units, and home care, catheters were maintained a mean of 13 days with a range of 1 to 116 days. Catheter days totaled 2069. The total number of catheter days while in critical care were 878, with 1191 catheter days after transfer to other areas. Seventy-one of the original 92 PICC catheters remained in place until treatment was completed or the patient expired. Twenty-one were removed for nonelective reasons. Of these patients, only one had significant morbidity related to sepsis. This septic episode occurred in a convalescent unit. Percentage of catheter-related sepsis was 0.48% per 1000 catheter days. Because PICCs are not used to any degree in critical care patients throughout the United States, this study should increase awareness among practitioners that this approach is a safe alternative method to chest or neck insertion for central venous access in high-risk critical care patients.
Interscalene brachial plexus blockade is a well-established means of providing analgesia and anesthesia for upper extremity surgery. Extension into the postoperative period with continuous infusions of 0.25% bupivacaine provides several added advantages. Our survey over two years covered 126 patients undergoing surgery by the Department of Hand Surgery of our hospital. Postoperative verbal analogue pain scores obtained for three days showed scores of 4 or less (range 0 to 10) being reported by more than 70% of all patients with 6.3% and 11.9% requiring additional narcotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, respectively. Compliance with early occupational therapy was good with only 7 patients having difficulty with active mobilisation as a result of excessive motor blockade. The insertion complication rate was 11.1%; all these cases were attributed to the bolus dose given and resolved over the next few hours. Eighteen (14.3%) of the patients developed complications while on continuous infusion, the most frequent being catheter dislodgement and pain at the insertion site. In all we found this method of providing postoperative analgesia to be effective, inexpensive and easy to implement in our large hospital setting.
UNLABELLED: 3 females with benign hepatic duct strictures were treated endoscopically. The treatment consisted of placement of one or two endoprostheses in all cases and endoscopic balloon dilatation in two cases. The stent was removed from the first patient--who had hepatic duct stones as well--after a 15 months stenting period and mechanical lithotripsy and balloon dilatation were performed with good results. The second and third patient-after stent insertion--was operated with suspicion of malignancy. Tumor was not proved. In the second patient the endoscopically placed stent was changed by a large diameter teflon stent surgically. The third patient's stents were left in place. These stents were removed after 3 months and balloon dilatation was performed. Patients' jaundice subsided and cholangitis improved following the stent insertion. COMPLICATIONS: Stent occlusion developed and common bile duct stones occurred once. There was not observed any other complication. Benign hepatic duct strictures can be treated by combination of prolonged endoscopic biliary stenting and balloon dilatation successfully.
BACKGROUND: Morbidities associated with the insertion of central venous catheters in severely thrombocytopenic cancer patients were analyzed in this prospective observational study. One hundred fifteen consecutive thrombocytopenic patients requiring central venous access (internal jugular or subclavian vein cannulation by a modified Seldinger technique) were evaluated. METHODS: One hundred fifteen catheters were inserted. For each patient, the following factors were documented: age; sex; diagnosis; previous catheterization; prior neck, chest, breast, or axillary surgery or radiation therapy; presence of other lines prior to venipuncture; site and indication for line insertion; complications; PT and PTT; platelet counts; and hematocrit. RESULTS: Of the total number of catheters inserted, 63 (55%) were subclavian and 52 (45%) were internal jugular. Successful cannulations with no complications (n = 91; 79% of the total) were achieved with 1.2 +/- 0.5 attempts. Twenty-four major and minor complications (20%) occurred with an average of 1.6 +/- 1 attempts (P = 0.003). The mean preprocedure platelet counts were 14.8 +/- 4.5 x 10(9)/L for the subclavian group and 14.3 +/- 4.8 x 10(9)/L for the internal jugular group. With platelet transfusion, the mean postprocedure platelet counts for the subclavian and internal jugular groups were 23.9 +/- 12.8 x 10(9)/L and 24.6 +/- 15 x 10(9)/L, respectively. In the subclavian group, seven patients (6%) experienced minor complications. There were 17 minor complications (15%) and 1 pneumothorax in the internal jugular group. Patients experiencing more than one attempt at cannulation had more complications (P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: With the appropriate precautions and platelet transfusions, central venous catheters can be inserted safely with minimal complications into thrombocytopenic cancer patients. Fewer attempts are associated with fewer complications. High risk procedures should be attempted only by experienced personnel or under their direct and strict supervision.
Interruption of vena cava for prevention of pulmonary embolism (PE) was achieved in the past with surgical ligation or placement of clips outside the infrarenal vena cava. At present, this procedure is performed with percutaneous insertion of vena cava filters. Vena cava filters can be permanent or temporary, catheter-retrievable. Main indications for placement of a vena cava filter are: contraindication for anticoagulant therapy in patients with severe PE in whom a further embolic episode would be fatal or patients with PE (or its recurrence) undergoing adequate anticoagulant therapy. Temporary filters are reserved to patients where the risk of PE is limited in time as in posttraumatic, post-partum or postoperative thromboembolism. The incidence of recurrence after placement of a vena cava filter varies between 0.5 and 7%. Procedure-associated complications are usually mild. However, severe complications as filter migration into the pulmonary artery or vena cava perforation were described. Our experience concerns the insertion of 61 vena cava filters (47 permanent and 14 temporary). Indications were as follows: iliofemoral thrombosis at embolic risk (37 cases), contraindication for anticoagulant therapy in the presence of deep vein thrombosis with embolic risk (7 cases), protection during fibrinolytic therapy (3 cases), PE during anticoagulant therapy (5 cases) complications of anticoagulant therapy which required discontinuation (5 cases), prophylaxis in view of surgery at high risk for PE (2 cases), protection for surgical venous thrombectomy (2 cases). Mortality was nil. Clinically evident PE was not observed in any patient in whom vena cava filter was inserted. Complications were mild and asymptomatic. Vena cava filters represent an effective prevention of PE together with medical and surgical treatment. At present, problems of this procedure are not technical but rather concern correct indications. Interruption of vena cava is effective if planned within a global strategy for prevention of thromboembolism.
BACKGROUND: Long term intravenous access is a common requirement for cancer patients. This analysis was designed to determine device-related morbidity and factors predictive of poor long term outcome for patients with subcutaneous single lumen intravenous access ports. METHODS: Six hundred eighty patients who underwent subcutaneous intravenous port placement between June 1987 and May 1989 at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center were followed prospectively until port removal, death, or a maximum of 1960 days. Indications for and circumstances of placement, patient diagnoses, patient demographics, and subsequent courses of treatment were recorded, as well as technical and microbiologic device-related complications. Total, device specific, and complication free device durations were calculated. RESULTS: The median patient age was 52.4 years (range, 1.6-83.9 years). The female-to-male ratio was 1.5 to 1. Cancer diagnoses included solid organ tumors (84%), leukemia (4%), lymphoma (11%), and others (1%). Indications included access for systemic chemotherapy (98%), total parenteral nutrition (0.5%), and others (1.5%). One insertion complication and six insertion failures occurred, without mortality. The estimated mean overall actuarial device specific duration was 1191 days (range, 2-1960 days). Actuarial mean complication free, device specific duration was 952 days. Complications included sepsis (n = 31; 4.4%), site infection (n = 31; 4.4%), and accessibility failures such as thrombosis and leakage (n = 40, 5.7%). Reasons for end of port duration were patient death (72.4%), end of treatment (13.5%), functional failure or intractable infection (11.2%), and others (2.9%). Independent factors correlating with decreased port specific, complication free duration included placement site, age, tumor type, and catheter tip position. CONCLUSIONS: Subcutaneous intravenous access ports in cancer patients are safe and well tolerated. Long term device duration is primarily influenced by patient survival. In this study, 90% of patients alive at 1 year and 70% of patients alive at 4 years had a functional port.
Pelvic inflammatory disease is used herein synonymously with acute salpingitis. In modern industrialized countries, the annual incidence of PID in women 15 to 39 years of age seems to be 10 to 13 per 1,000 women, with a peak incidence of about 20 per 1,000 women in the age group 20 to 24 years. Since 1960 an increase in incidence by a factor of 1.6 to 1.9 has been observed in the age group 20 to 29 years. The incidence of PID is correlated strongly with the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases, although a fraction of the infections might be of endogenous origin. Use of intrauterine contraceptive devices and operations for legal abortions contribute to the increase in incidence. The prevalence of women in the post-PID state has increased by a factor of about 1.5 since 1960. Women in the post-PID state have a tenfold increased risk for ectopic pregnancy and 25% of the increase in ectopic pregnancy can be accounted for by the increase in post-PID women. Infertility after PID ranges between 5.8% and 60% depending on severity of infection, number of infections, and age of the women. The fraction of women rendered infertile because of PID has increased by a factor of about 1.6 since 1960.
This investigation compares the IUD performance of 372 women who had an insertion-related problem (most with moderate or severe pain) and 372 matched women who had no such problem; all women had interval insertion. A woman in the Problem Cohort and her matched counterpart in the Comparison Cohort were inserted with the same IUD type by the same insertor on the same day or on close dates. The six IUD types used by these women were Lippes Loop D, Copper-7, Copper T-200, Copper T-380 Ag, Multiload Copper 250 and Multiload Copper 375. Cumulative gross life-table rates of the pertinent events (accidental pregnancy, expulsion and medical removal for bleeding and pain), adjusted for age and parity, were calculated. Between the Problem Cohort and the Comparison Cohort, no differences were detected in the event rates that were of either statistical or practical significance. Results from this preliminary study suggest that the insertion-related problems usually encountered during interval insertion such as insertion pain, syncope and/or mild cervical laceration are not associated with an increased risk of IUD discontinuation due to pertinent events.
The potential relationship between use of intrauterine devices and pelvic inflammatory disease is one of the most important issues in contraception today. A number of large, sophisticated studies published since mid-1980 have clarified this association. All have consistently revealed an increased risk of pelvic inflammatory disease among intra-uterine device users, but the most objective of these studies indicate a relative risk compared to women using no method (1.5-2.6) lower than previous estimates. For most intrauterine device wearers, the increased risk of pelvic inflammatory disease persists for only a few months after insertion. The Dalkon Shield appears associated with a higher risk of pelvic inflammatory disease than the Lippes Loop, Saf-T-Coil, or copper devices. Careful selection of candidates for intrauterine devices may further reduce the risk of intrauterine device-associated pelvic inflammatory disease.
To facilitate manufacture and insertion of the Gyne T 380 IUD, design changes were instituted. Copper collars were seated flush at the ends of the horizontal crossbar of the device. A randomized study of the Gyne T 380 Slimline, the new design, was undertaken in comparison with the standard Gyne T 380. A total of 996 women were enrolled, with 698 Slimline insertions and 298 of the standard Gyne T. No statistically significant difference in ease of insertion or in performance was detected between the models. At one year, the pregnancy rate of each model was below 0.5 per 100 and the continuation rate was 79-80 per 100. Pelvic inflammatory disease or endometritis was found in one percent of subjects in the first year. This is the seventh multicenter randomized study of a collared T IUD with 380 mm2 of copper surface. In all seven, the one-year gross pregnancy rate has been 1.2 per 100 or lower.
Forty primigravid women aged 15-45 years were randomly allocated to receive either an intravaginal pessary of 3 mg prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) or an intracervical 5-mm laminaria tent (LT) 12-16 h before termination of pregnancy at 6-14 weeks gestation. The degree of dilatation of the cervix at operation and its resistance to further dilatation during the procedure were assessed by a 'blind' operator. Laminaria tents were more effective in achieving dilatation and softening of the cervix than were PGE2 pessaries and in 40% of women no further dilatation was necessary. There were no associated side-effects or complications. A cervical tear occurred in two of 20 patients treated with PGE2 pessaries and all 20 required further dilatation of the cervix. Laminaria tents provide a simple, safe, acceptable and effective means of 'ripening' the cervix prior to termination of early pregnancy.