Seldinger technique as an alternative approach for percutaneous insertion of hydrophilic polyurethane central venous catheters in newborns.

The use of hydrophilic central venous catheters, percutaneously inserted by means of the Seldinger technique, was evaluated in this prospective study. Between 1988 and 1991, 138 catheters were inserted in newborns who were admitted to our neonatal intensive care unit. An adequate position of the tip, evaluated radiographically, was achieved in 130 (94.2%) of these insertions. The side effects associated with these 130 catheters and the duration of their use were recorded. Results were compared with those of percutaneously inserted Silastic catheters described in the literature. The rate of adequate catheter placement seems comparable. Because of a high rate of minor mechanical complications, the mean catheter duration was rather short (8.3 days). However, the incidence of serious complications, especially infectious complications, was low.