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Updated: Jun 12, 2026
09:38
Femoral Arterial and Venous Catheterization for Blood Sampling, Drug Administration and Conscious Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Measurements
Published on: January 24, 2012
[Knotted femoral catheter]
Hannah Malthe Mollerup1, Mette Helene Toft, Kenneth Jensen
1Bispebjerg Hospital, Anastesiologisk Afdeling Z, Denmark. hmollerup@gmail.com
Ugeskrift for Laeger
|June 8, 2010
Summary
A femoral catheter knotted around tissue required surgical removal in an elderly patient. Prompt surgical intervention is crucial for complete catheter removal to prevent infection risks.
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology
- Surgical Complications
- Medical Device Malfunctions
Background:
- Femoral catheter placement is a common procedure for regional anesthesia and pain management.
- Complications during catheter removal, though rare, can pose significant clinical challenges.
- Early identification and management of catheter-related issues are vital for patient safety.
Observation:
- An 89-year-old female patient experienced difficulty during femoral catheter removal post-hip fracture surgery.
- Radiographic imaging revealed the catheter was knotted around connective tissue below the skin surface.
- Surgical intervention was necessary to successfully retrieve the entrapped catheter.
Findings:
- Catheter knotting is a rare but recognized complication in regional anesthesia procedures.
- Resistance during catheter removal should raise suspicion for potential knotting or entrapment.
- Complete surgical removal of knotted catheters is essential to avoid retained foreign material.
Implications:
- Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for catheter knotting when encountering removal resistance.
- Surgical extraction is the definitive treatment for deeply knotted or entrapped anesthetic catheters.
- Ensuring complete catheter removal minimizes the risk of subsequent infection and other complications.
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