A safer system for percutaneous subclavian venous catheterization in newborn infants.
Percutaneous infraclavicular cannulation of the subclavian vein in even the tiniest infants can be performed with safety and ease using a plastic cannula metal needle stylet and following plastic catheter. This route for achieving superior vena caval catheterization provides a most satisfactory method for central pressure monitoring, long term antibiotic administration, total parenteral nutrition, and exchange transfusion. Few serious complications have been noted in over a hundred infant cannulations. The procedure can be performed in the intensive care nursery with a success rate of over 95%. Sepsis rates in clean cases are acceptably low. Most sepsis is due to other clearly identifiable sources of infection in these already critically ill infants.
D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D002496:Central Venous Pressure; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases; D009339:Needles; D010289:Parenteral Nutrition, Total; D018805:Sepsis / Q000209:etiology; D013350:Subclavian Vein