Evaluation of dilators for central venous catheterization using an experimental model.

Area of Science:

• Medical Devices
• Surgical Innovation
• Vascular Access

Background:

• Percutaneous central venous catheterization (CVC) traditionally involves skin incision, which can lead to complications such as hemorrhage and scarring.
• Minimizing adverse effects associated with CVC procedures is crucial for patient safety and outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate an improved dilator design for percutaneous central venous catheterization.
• To reduce the insertion load and associated risks of skin incision, hemorrhage, and cicatrization.

Main Methods:

• Evaluated six types of dilators, including commercially available models and a newly redesigned dilator with modified multitapering angles.
• Tested insertion load on pork muscle with porcine skin, comparing dilators with and without lubricant coating.
• Assessed insertion load with and without skin incision for selected dilator types.

Main Results:

• The newly modified dilator coated with lubricant demonstrated the minimum insertion load.
• The modified dilator reduced insertion load by up to 50%, and lubricant further decreased it by up to 16%.
• The lubricant-coated modified dilator's insertion load was comparable to manufactured dilators requiring a 2-mm skin incision.

Conclusions:

• A lubricant-coated dilator with multitapering angles effectively decreases insertion load.
• This innovative dilator design facilitates CVC insertion without the need for a skin incision.
• The improved dilator holds potential for safer and more efficient central venous catheterization procedures.