Percutaneous subclavian vein placement of the Hickman catheter

Vascular access by means of a permanently implanted cuffed silicone rubber catheter has become increasingly popular in the management of cancer patients. A method is described for the percutaneous placement of this catheter using a modified Seldinger technique. The catheter was successfully placed in 14 of 15 consecutive cancer patients using this method. The morbidity rates were low, and no deaths occurred because of the procedure. This technique allows rapid, accurate placement of the Hickman catheter in patients whose peripheral venous access sites have been exhausted.