An in vitro study of silicone migration from intravenous fluid tubing.
Migration of particulate matter from plastic tubing and solid plastic implants has been documented in a number of studies, including some with the use of cardiac bypass, haemodialysis, and pump-assisted intravenous infusions. In order to ascertain whether silicone embolisation occurs when children have an Ivac 560 pump-assisted IV infusion, we passed 180 ml of pumped fluid through a microfilter and compared the scanning electron micrographs of those filters with unused filters and with others through which a similar volume had been passed without using the pump. The particles on the filters were analysed for their elemental content using energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. In addition, the appearance of the silicone tubing used in the pump over 3 and 72 h was assessed and compared to that of flow-only and unused tubing. More particles were found on the microfilter when fluid had been delivered via the pump than on those through which non-pumped fluid had passed or that were unused. Elemental silicon-containing particles were only found on the filter when a pump had been attached to the IV line. The flow-only and unused tubing were found to have adherent particles on the inner surface that were not seen once the tubing had been used for 3 h in the Ivac 560 pump. Also, after 72 h use, the silicone tubing had a deformed inner layer. The clinical significance of these findings is yet to be determined, but it does appear that silicone embolisation occurs during pump-assisted infusions in children.
Dewan
P A
PA
Urology Unit, Women's and Children's Hospital, North Adelaide, South Australia.
Owen
A J
AJ
Ashwood
P J
PJ
Terlet
J
J
Byard
R W
RW
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002482:Cellulose / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D002648:Child; D004577:Electron Probe Microanalysis; D004617:Embolism / Q000209:etiology; D005374:Filtration; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007260:Infusion Pumps; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D012828:Silicones; D013997:Time Factors
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D012828:Silicones; C005062:acetylcellulose; D002482:Cellulose