Intravenous cannulas. Survey of their use in patients undergoing elective surgery.

A study of the complications associated with use of intravenous cannulas was conducted in 254 patients undergoing elective surgery at Westmead Centre. Four brands of cannula were studied. Surflo, Jelco, Dwellcath and Abbocath. It was found that the Surflo cannula was the most frequently used at Westmead Centre, that the dorsum of the hand was the site with the least number of complications, and that gauge of cannula had no influence on the rate of complications. Complications were more likely with blood transfusion or addition of potassium or antibiotic agents to the infusion, and the increasing duration of infusion. Abbocath cannulas had fewer complications associated with their use than the other cannulas studied.