[Early and late complications of the use of life-cath type catheters in children with malignancies requiring urgent surgical intervention].

Permanent access to the centrally positioned veins is necessary for the treatment of children with malignancy. The Broviac-Hickman's catheters and venous port system fulfill this require. Since January 1992 to February 1998, 276 intravenous life-cath devices were installed. In 7 patients life-threatening complications after catheter implantation occurred, which demanded urgent surgical intervention. The complications appeared in both early and late periods after catheter insertion. Pneumothorax (three children), bleeding to the mediastinum (one patient), fragmentation, disconnection and migration of a separate part of catheter into the right heart (two patients) were observed. The way of treatment and its results were described.