[Central venous catheterization--experiences in neonatal intensive medicine based on scanning electron microscopy study of Silastic catheters].

This article deals with the use of 56 silastic-catheters in the intensive care of premature and new-born with mean weights of 1550 g according to the Shaw-method. The clinical use with regard to early and late complications was studied by means of scanning electron microscopy of 11 catheters. The results were compared with the complications associated with PVC-catheters. The silastic-catheters has the following advantages: over a longer period it does not lose its mechanical properties, it is athrombogenic and has only few complications regarding infection and thrombosis. Local reactions cannot, however be eliminated. We can extend the use of silastic-catheters by giving blood, drugs and by taking blood samples, by this way intensive care of the new-born is less stressful.