Removal of fractured peripherally inserted central venous catheter in the leg of a neonate

Article type: Case Report

Authors: Visschers, Ruben G.J.^{a; b; *} | Niemarkt, Hendrik J.^c | van Gemert, Wim G.^{a; b} | Raets, Marlou M.A.^d | van Laanen, Jorinde^e

Affiliations: [a] Department of Pediatric Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Centre, MosaKids Children’s Hospital, Maastricht, The Netherlands | [b] European Consortium of Pediatric Surgery, Maastricht, Aachen, Liège | [c] Department of Neonatology, Maxima Medical Centre, Veldhoven, The Netherlands | [d] Department of Neonatology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, MosaKids Children’s Hospital, Maastricht, The Netherlands | [e] Department of Vascular Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands

Correspondence: [*] Address for correspondence: Ruben G.J. Visschers, MD, PhD. P. Debyelaan 25, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands. Tel.: +31 43 3877106; E-mail: [email protected].

Abstract: An infant with a corrected gestational age of 38 weeks, weighing 3.1 kg, was referred to our pediatric surgical department because of a fractured peripherally inserted central venous catheter in the left lower limb with the end retracting into the deep venous system. An operation was undertaken to remove the PICC. Because the central venous catheter was, unintentionally, placed in the left small saphenous vein and thus positioned in the left femoral vein, the left great saphenous vein was incised to gain access. Subsequently, the catheter could be removed successfully. Fracturing of a peripherally inserted central venous catheter is a rare occurance. Removal depends on vessel size, location and experertise.

Keywords: Fracture, deep venous system, neonatal, peripherally inserted central venous catheter, surgical removal

DOI: 10.3233/NPM-240006

Journal: Journal of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, vol. 17, no. 4, pp. 611-614, 2024