Subclavian venous catheterisation in small children using the Seldinger technique

Area of Science:

• Pediatric critical care
• Vascular access procedures
• Infant physiology

Background:

• Central venous access is crucial for administering medications and monitoring hemodynamics in critically ill infants.
• Traditional methods may pose challenges in neonates and small infants due to anatomical considerations.
• The Seldinger technique offers a minimally invasive approach for vascular access.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of subclavian venous catheterization via the Seldinger technique in infants weighing less than 10 kg.
• To assess the initial success rate and the need for repositioning.
• To determine the incidence of complications associated with this procedure in a small infant population.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study involving 25 infants weighing less than 10 kg (mean 6.4 kg).
• Subclavian venous catheterization was performed using the Seldinger technique.
• Catheter position, flow, and pressure-wave recordings were assessed.

Main Results:

• Successful catheterization was achieved in 24 out of 25 infants (96%).
• Initial satisfactory catheter position was observed in 19 cases (79%).
• Repositioning allowed for satisfactory flow and pressure-wave recordings in all 24 successful cases, with no serious morbidity.

Conclusions:

• Subclavian venous catheterization using the Seldinger technique is a simple and reliable method for establishing central venous access in small infants.
• The procedure is well-tolerated and associated with a low risk of serious complications.
• This technique provides essential access for hemodynamic monitoring and therapeutic interventions in this vulnerable patient group.