Tunnelling of two central venous catheters inserted via a single venipuncture.
Two central venous catheters were inserted into the subclavian or internal jugular vein using a single puncture and tunnelled with two different subcutaneous pathways in 32 critically ill patients; 15 of them underwent this procedure immediately after a tracheostomy. The procedure was carried out without significant technical difficulties. Separate removal of one of the catheters was performed easily in 5 cases. Cultures were positive in 21% of 42 catheters from 21 patients; Staphylococcus epidermidis was isolated from 7 catheters. Separate tunnelling of two central venous lines inserted via a single venipuncture can be used in critically ill patients needing multiple central venous access.
Pigot
B
B
Département d'Anesthésie, Réanimation Chirurgicale, Hôpital Charles Nicolle, Rouen, France.
Petit
J
J
Eustache
M L
ML
Oksenhendler
G
G
Winckler
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001815:Bloodletting / Q000379:methods*; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000379:methods*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007601:Jugular Veins; D008875:Middle Aged; D013207:Staphylococcal Skin Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis; D013350:Subclavian Vein; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000517:prevention & control