Double-catheter technique for the proper insertion of umbilical venous catheters in newborns

To document the usefulness and safety of inserting a second umbilical venous catheter in ill neonates, while a previously misplaced first catheter was still in its place.

The case series involved 25 newborn babies who were admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Maternity Hospital, Kuwait, over a 3-year period from 1999 to 2002. The umbilical venous catheter of the babies was misplaced and diverted to the liver, necessitating insertion of a second catheter while the previous one was still in place. The characteristics of the babies and possible catheter-related complications were recorded.

Of the 25 babies, 19 had the second catheter properly placed in the right atrium, while in the remaining 6 neonates, the catheter was still misplaced. Misplacement occurred mostly in full-term babies or the catheter was inserted at a later stage. No life-threatening complication was observed during the procedure.

Insertion of a second umbilical venous catheter with the misplaced first catheter in situ is a useful and safe procedure.