Hickman-Broviac catheters. Indications and results

The records of 84 patients in whom 98 Hickman-Broviac catheters were inserted were reviewed. The most common indication for catheter insertion was for administration of parenteral nutrition. Forty-four patients (52 percent) had catheters inserted for chemotherapy or combined chemotherapy and parenteranal nutrition. Thirteen patients had Hickman-Broviac catheters inserted for the administration of antibiotics. The majority of the patients (56 percent) had malignant disease. The insertion of Hickman-Broviac catheters was uncomplicated, especially through the external jugular vein. Catheter-related complications occurred in 20 percent of the patients, but none were fatal. The most common complications were thrombotic catheter occlusion and catheter related sepsis. The catheter-related sepsis rate was 8/6,308 catheter-days. These rates compare favorably with those reported by other investigators. Any patient with potential vascular access difficulty or obliterated or thrombosed veins who requires parenteral medication should be considered a candidate for insertion of a Hickman or Broviac catheter.