New technique for stabilizing umbilical artery catheters in very low birthweight infants.

The securing of umbilical artery catheters (UACs) with tape bridges has been associated with significant dermal complications in the very low birthweight neonate. We describe a new technique for UAC stabilization using an anchoring adhesive tape applied directly to the catheter, which is in turn sutured to the cord. This technique provides a very satisfactory method of UAC stabilization and avoids skin complications associated with the standard methods.