Hickman lines inserted and managed by a general surgical team: longevity and complications

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Vascular Surgery
• Medical Devices

Background:

• Long-term venous access is crucial for patients requiring continuous intravenous therapies like chemotherapy or nutrition.
• Managing difficult venous access often necessitates the use of indwelling lines to avoid repeated peripheral cannulation.
• Insertion and maintenance of these lines carry inherent risks and potential complications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the safety and efficacy of Hickman catheter use in a general surgical oncology setting.
• To determine the complication rates and longevity associated with Hickman catheter use.
• To compare the outcomes of Hickman catheter use in this setting with data from larger, specialized centers.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective review of four years of patient data was conducted.
• Thirty-seven Hickman catheters were inserted in 37 patients within a general surgical oncology service.
• Data collected included catheter longevity, complication events, and reasons for premature removal.

Main Results:

• The 37 Hickman catheters demonstrated a mean longevity of 107 days (range: 2-322 days).
• An overall complication rate of 1.25 per 1000 catheter days was recorded.
• Four catheters (10.8%) required premature removal due to late complications.

Conclusions:

• Hickman catheters are associated with a favorable complication profile in general surgical oncology patients.
• The longevity and complication rates observed are comparable to those reported by specialized units.
• Hickman catheter use represents a safe and effective method for long-term venous access in this patient population.