Double-catheter technique for the proper insertion of umbilical venous catheters in newborns.

OBJECTIVES

To document the usefulness and safety of inserting a second umbilical venous catheter in ill neonates, while a previously misplaced first catheter was still in its place.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

The case series involved 25 newborn babies who were admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Maternity Hospital, Kuwait, over a 3-year period from 1999 to 2002. The umbilical venous catheter of the babies was misplaced and diverted to the liver, necessitating insertion of a second catheter while the previous one was still in place. The characteristics of the babies and possible catheter-related complications were recorded.

RESULTS

Of the 25 babies, 19 had the second catheter properly placed in the right atrium, while in the remaining 6 neonates, the catheter was still misplaced. Misplacement occurred mostly in full-term babies or the catheter was inserted at a later stage. No life-threatening complication was observed during the procedure.

CONCLUSION

Insertion of a second umbilical venous catheter with the misplaced first catheter in situ is a useful and safe procedure.