[Hickman catheter for long-term parenteral therapy. A prospective interdisciplinary study].

160 patients with a median age of 38 years (range two months to 84 years) having silicone rubber central venous access catheters for long-term parenteral nutrition or chemotherapy were studied prospectively. Two different types of catheters were used, the Broviac-type "life-cath" and the Groshong -catheter. Intraoperative complications were not noticed. Parenteral therapy was performed in 124 patients (81%) without any complications. After a mean postoperative interval of 36 weeks there were 34 catheters removed because of end of therapy. 78 patients died with the catheter in place. 40 catheters had to be removed before end of therapy due to catheter-related complications. Occlusion of the lumen occurred in nine patients after an interval from three to 20 weeks. Explantation of catheters due to a suspected catheter-related sepsis was performed in 17 patients. Both types of catheter showed a high cumulative patency rate of 90% after a twelve months period. However, there were catheters that had to be removed before planned end of therapy. Thus, the cumulative rate of functioning catheters is lower (44% of all catheters).