title: Retention and strength of silicone-rubber catheters. A report of five cases of retention and analysis of catheter strength.
abstract: Five patients had a silicone-rubber catheter that broke during attempted removal. Mechanical testing was performed to determine the tensile strength of silicone-rubber as well as of polyvinyl chloride catheters. Silicone-rubber catheters were found to have a low tensile strength. The pull-out force of ten indwelling silicone-rubber catheters was also measured. The pullout force measured from a patient who had a cast was close to 40 per cent of the strength of the silicone-rubber catheters.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock 72205.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: McKenzie
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Flahiff
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Nelson
mesh_terms: D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004322:Drainage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010027:Osteotomy; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013718:Tensile Strength