title: Complications of subclavian vein catheters in patients with high enterocutaneous fistulas.
abstract: Complications of subclavian catheters in 17 consecutive patients with high enterocutaneous fistulas were studied. Fifteen patients had drainage surgery and total parenteral nutrition was given to all patients via a subclavian catheter for 27 +/- 20 days and in total 75 catheters were used for 1044 days. One patient needed on average 5.0 +/- 2.2 catheters and one catheter was in place 12.3 +/- 9.7 days. Bacterial cultures were positive in two and candida cultures in one catheter. Three patients died due to sepsis, but only one had a minor complication transient skin infection around the catheter. The frequency of complications decreased when the number of catheters in each patient increased. Minor complications were common.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004937:Esophageal Fistula / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010289:Parenteral Nutrition, Total / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000628:therapy; D012306:Risk; D012874:Skin Diseases, Infectious / Q000209:etiology; D013350:Subclavian Vein