title: Fine-bore cannulas for peripheral intravenous nutrition: polyurethane or silicone?
abstract: The peripheral intravenous route is being used more frequently for the administration of short- to medium-term parenteral nutritional support. Dedicated fine bore cannulas have significantly reduced the incidence of thrombophlebitis. Currently available cannulas are made of polyurethane or silicone. We present our experience with a 23G silicone cannula and a 22G polyurethane alternative. Fifty-four silicone cannulas were used with a median survival of only 3 days, compared with 7 days for 90 polyurethane cannulas (P < 0.0001). Only 22% of silicone cannulas were removed electively compared with 56% of polyurethane cannulas (P < 0.00005). The most common cause for silicone cannula removal was occlusion (48%), which occurred in only 8% of polyurethane cannulas (P < 0.00001). Polyurethane cannulas develop fewer complications and are more effective in the delivery of peripheral intravenous nutritional support.
authors.affiliation: Nutrition Support Team, St James's University Hospital, Leeds.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Plusa
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Horsman
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kendall-Smith
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Webster
authors.forename: J N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Primrose
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010288:Parenteral Nutrition / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011140:Polyurethanes; D012828:Silicones; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D011140:Polyurethanes; D012828:Silicones