Hickman catheter implantation in the treatment of acute leukemia

Between July 1980 and May 1981, 32 permanent indwelling Hickman catheters were implanted in 29 patients. Most of the catheters were placed for treatment of acute leukemia (25 patients) or lymphoma (two patients). Catheters were used for a total of 3,461 patient-days (mean, 108 days). Two patients had infections at the exit site, one seven and the other 11 days after implantation. Four patients had sepsis, but none of those infections appeared to be catheter related. Hickman catheters appear to provide ease of treatment in acute leukemia and are associated with patient satisfaction and an acceptable complication rate.