[Intracavitary extraction of fragments of intracardiac catheters using a pigtail catheter. Apropos of 14 operations].

Endocavitary extraction of intracardiac fragments of intravenous catheters was attempted in 14 patients over a 7 year period. The fragments were recovered in 13 cases under local anaesthesia without complications. The average duration of the procedure was less than 15 minutes. The technique requires a pigtail catheter, a material which is usually readily available in all catheter laboratories. This simple procedure may prevent complications and enable some patients to avoid surgery.