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"In the long-term follow-up, Dacron felt cuff tunneled catheters placed in the subcostal space with a transhepatic approach remained functional for a long time" Onan et al (2022).

Alternative vascular access in chronic critically ill pediatric patients

Abstract:

Objective: To evaluate the safety and functionality of the transhepatic approach as an alternative route for central venous catheterization in pediatric patients with chronic critical illness.

Methods: The study included data of 12 chronic critically ill pediatric patients who underwent central venous catheterization with transhepatic approach. The indications, procedure details, mean patency time, and catheter-related complications were retrospectively analyzed.

Results: A total of 16 central venous catheters were placed through the transhepatic approach. A 5F port catheter was used in eight attempts, a 5F PICC in two attempts, and an 8-14F Hickman-Broviac catheter in six attempts. All procedures were performed with technical success. The mean patency time of the catheters was 132.1 d (range: 12-540 d). In the long-term follow-up, catheter-related sepsis was detected in a patient, and six catheters lost functionality due to malposition.

Conclusion: The transhepatic approach is a safe and functional alternative route for central venous access in chronic critically ill pediatric patients requiring long-term vascular access. The procedure using ultrasonography and fluoroscopy can be performed with high technical success. In the long-term follow-up, Dacron felt cuff tunneled catheters placed in the subcostal space with a transhepatic approach remained functional for a long time.


Reference:

Onan HB, Piskin FC, Sozutok S, Ekinci F, Yildizdas D. An Alternative Central Venous Access Route for Pediatric Patients with Chronic Critical Illness: The Transhepatic Approach. Indian J Pediatr. 2022 Jun 24. doi: 10.1007/s12098-022-04219-8. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35749038.