Feasibility of Wire-in-Needle Technique for Ultrasound-Guided Central Venous Catheter Insertion in a Pediatric ICU

Objective For further evaluating the feasibility and safety of wire-in-needle (WIN) technique application for ultrasound-guided central venous catheter (USG-CVC) insertion in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Methods We prospectively monitored all patients who underwent central line insertion guided by ultrasound from March 2018 to March 2019. An independent nurse recorded the patient's age, gender, weight and BMI, diagnosis, indication for insertion, blood pressure state, insertion time, line size, number of pricks, and arterial punctures. Results A central line was inserted in 141 patients. The author applied the WIN technique in 16 patients, while in 125 patients, the central line was inserted via the traditional technique. The success rate was 100% for the WIN technique arm with zero arterial pricks, and the mean number of needle pricks was 1.1. For the traditional technique arm, the success rate was 90% with three arterial pricks. The mean number of needle pricks was 1.38. The insertion time was 86.25 seconds and 304 seconds for the WIN technique and the standard technique, respectively; this difference was statistically significant (p <0.001). Conclusion The WIN technique is feasible and could provide a safe and relatively fast alternative technique for real-time USG-CVC insertion in the PICU. The WIN technique is feasible and not inferior to the standard short-axis technique. A good level of experience related to USG-CVC insertion provides a safe and rapid alternative technique for real-time USG-CVC insertion in the PICU.