Technical report: an injection technique for repositioning subclavian catheters

Malpositioned central venous catheters need to be repositioned so as to avoid local toxicity from chemotherapeutic and other agents and to prevent venous thrombosis. We describe a simple, safe and effective technique for repositioning silicone central venous catheters, by using a hand injection of sterile saline. It was successful in all nine patients in whom it was attempted, with no complications. Five catheters were single lumen and four were double lumen. We feel that this method should be attempted prior to the use of more invasive techniques.