Home intravenous therapy using a silastic long line catheter in cystic fibrosis patients

Young patients with cystic fibrosis are now accustomed to having regular periods of intravenous therapy to help in the management of their recurring respiratory infections particularly due to pseudomonas organisms. Most patients will eventually experience difficulties in accepting recurring intravenous cannulations and the life span of the conventional intravenous cannula is frequently brief. We have compared percutaneous long line silastic catheters with conventional intravenous cannulas as intravenous access in children with cystic fibrosis being treated for pulmonary exacerbations. We conclude that silastic long lines are superior to conventional cannulas in terms of patient tolerance, reduction in the number of hospital admissions, reduction in the number of repeat venepunctures/cannulations and reduction in local complications. The high degree of patient acceptability has been impressive and has increased with the enthusiasm of children with cystic fibrosis for more frequent intravenous therapy.