[Percutaneous removal of a brachiocephalic vein anchored venous catheter with wire loop and mini-laparoscopy scissors].

PURPOSE

The use of mini-laparoscopy scissors to remove a central venous catheter inadvertently fixed to the wall of the brachiocephalic vein is described.

PATIENT AND METHODS

During a rethoracotomy in a 15-year-old female patient, a central venous catheter preoperatively introduced in the left subclavian vein was inadvertently trapped by a suture and fixed to the wall of the left brachiocephalic vein. The foreign body was removed by use of a transjugularly introduced venous sheath, a catheter wire snare, and mini-laparoscopy scissors.

RESULTS

The fixed catheter was freed from the wall of the vein under fluoroscopic control with the help of a mini-laparoscopy scissors. Since the intravasal end of the catheter had already been grasped during mobilization with the wire snare it could be completely removed subsequently without any problem.

CONCLUSIONS

The percutaneous, intravascular use of mini-laparoscopy instruments may be considered for foreign body removal in special cases.