Intravenous Access for Parenteral Nutrition in Very Low Birth Weight Infants. A New Device to Introduce Silicone Catheters in the Umbilical Vein

摘要

Percutaneously inserted silicone catheters are largely used for administration of parenteral nutrition. We conceived a new device to introduce the silicone catheter into the umbilical vein aiming safety with an easy procedure. Between January 5, 2002 and December 23, 2005, a total of 3.57 newborns were infused with central venous lines. The catheter related complications were analysed in 3 groups of patients: the umbilical silicone venous catheter (USVC, n=181), the percutaneous silicone venous catheter (PSVC, n=126) and the USVC-PSVC group (n=50) who underwent both procedures. The USVC did not show an increased risk for catheter related complications: no catheter related sepsis nor thrombosis occurred in this group. The overall complication rate was low. This new USVC introducer allows a safe procedure for long-term catheterisation of the umbilical vein.