Novel Umbilical Catheter Securement and Protection Device for Umbilical Line Securement during Laparotomy

Area of Science:

• Neonatal surgery
• Pediatric critical care
• Medical device innovation

Background:

• Umbilical catheters are vital for neonatal invasive care, providing reliable vascular access.
• However, umbilical catheters are associated with a high rate of malpositioning, increasing risks.
• The perioperative period, especially during surgery like laparotomy, presents heightened risks for catheter dislodgement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the efficacy of a Novel Umbilical Securement Device (NUSD) against standard methods in preventing umbilical catheter malposition.
• To evaluate the NUSD's performance in neonatal patients undergoing laparotomy within a neonatal intensive care unit.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective study analyzed infants undergoing laparotomy between April 2019 and January 2023.
• Two neonatologists reviewed perioperative chest X-rays to assess umbilical arterial/venous catheter (UAC/UVC) position in patients with and without the NUSD.
• Patient demographics including gestational age, birth weight, and age at surgery were recorded.

Main Results:

• Eighteen patients were included: 8 with NUSD and 10 without.
• No instances of umbilical catheter malposition were observed in the NUSD group.
• In contrast, 57% of UVCs (28% of lines) were malpositioned postoperatively in the non-NUSD group (p=0.048).

Conclusions:

• The Novel Umbilical Securement Device (NUSD) demonstrates a low malposition rate for umbilical catheters.
• NUSD provides securement during procedures like laparotomy, effectively decreasing the risk of catheter malposition.
• This device offers a promising solution for improving the safety and reliability of umbilical catheter use in high-risk neonatal patients.