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Subclavian venous catheterization in children
Insights
Subclavian vein catheterization is a safe and effective procedure for children, even newborns. With experienced practitioners, age or size should not limit its use in pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Medicine
- Vascular Access
- Interventional Procedures
Background:
- Subclavian vein catheterization is a common procedure for vascular access in pediatric patients.
- The safety and efficacy in very young children require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the success rate and complication profile of infraclavicular subclavian catheterization in children.
- To determine if there are age or size limitations for this procedure in pediatric populations.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective review of 77 infraclavicular subclavian catheterizations in 54 children over 12 months.
- Utilized the Seldinger technique, with general anesthesia in most cases.
Main Results:
- Successful catheterization in 96% of cases (74 out of 77 attempts).
- Initial catheter tip position was satisfactory in 81% of cases.
- Catheters remained in situ for a median of 7 days with few complications.
Conclusions:
- Infraclavicular subclavian catheterization is highly successful and safe in children of all ages, including newborns.
- Extensive experience in adult subclavian venous cannulation suggests no minimal age or size restriction for pediatric use.
Abstract:
During a 12-month period, infraclavicular subclavian catheterization, using a Seldinger technique, was attempted on 77 occasions in 54 children with a median age of 2 years (range newborn to 10 years). General anaesthesia was used in the majority of cases, and catheterization was successful in 74 cases (96%). The initial catheter tip position was satisfactory in 81% of the cases, and catheters remained in situ for a median period of 7 days (range 1-28 days). There were few complications. Providing extensive experience in subclavian venous cannulation is gained in the adult, there is in our experience no minimal age or size which should limit the use of a subclavian vein catheter.