[Early and late complications after implantation of central venous catheters]

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Surgery
• Medical Devices
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Implantable central venous catheters improve quality of life for children with chronic diseases.
• The Nagy puncture technique is a safe method for catheter insertion by trained surgeons.
• Complications can arise, necessitating careful management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the safety and complication rates of implantable central venous catheters inserted using the Nagy technique.
• To identify risk factors and common complications associated with these devices in pediatric patients.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 140 implantable central venous catheters.
• Data collected from the Department of Pediatric Surgery, University of Leipzig (1995-2000).
• Complication rates (early and late) and causative agents were analyzed.

Main Results:

• 11 early complications were observed in 140 implanted catheters.
• Infection and thrombosis were the most frequent late complications, affecting 51 children.
• Staphylococcus epidermidis was the most common pathogen; neutropenia was a risk factor.
• Catheter explantation was required in 29 of 44 cases due to infection.

Conclusions:

• The Nagy technique for implantable central venous catheters is safe but associated with significant complication risks, particularly infection and thrombosis.
• Strict adherence to hygienic protocols is crucial for minimizing infection risks.
• Management of catheter-associated infections often requires explantation, highlighting the importance of prevention.