Central venous access by the Seldinger technic in neonatology

Abstract Eighteen catheterizations were attempted in 17 patients catheters (Arrow 3ChFr and 4ChFr), between january of 1996 and december of 1997. The patients ranged in age from 3 to 148 days (mean of 43.3 and standard deviation of 47.5) and in weight from 1110 to 4000 grams (mean of 3182 grams and standard deviation 767.2 grams). Overall successful catheterization rate was 94.5%. Complications included a pneumothorax that needed pleural drainage, one self-limited femoral artery spasm and one stenosis of femoral vein that did not require any treatment. The mean catheterism time was 6.64 days (deviation of 3.84 days), and the causes of removal were end of treatment in 8 patients, accidental removal in 5, infectious suspicion in 2 and limb edema in 2. Seldinger technique may be a useful approach for central venous catheterization in neonates. Careful catheterization, extensive experience and appropriate selection of material, help to keep the risk of complications low.