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Hickman catheter dislodgement due to pendulous breasts
D W Moorman1, M C Horattas, D Wright
1Akron General Medical Center, Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, OH 44307.
JPEN. Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition
|September 1, 1987
Abstract:
Dislodgement of Hickman, Broviac, and Mediport catheters is a rare but recognized complication. To date, no specific etiology for this has been cited. We present five cases of dislodgement due to positional changes in large-breasted women and one man with gynecomastia. Apparently, motion in the subcutaneous tissue secondary to gravitational forces on large breasts causes downward and outward traction on the subcutaneous portion of the catheter. Variations in placement technique to help avoid this complication are described.