Prospective study of peripherally inserted central venous catheters compared with traditional central catheter in surgical patients

Purpose To study prospectively the feasibility, complications, mid-and long-term advantages of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) compared with central venous access in surgical patients. Materials and methode During the period between 1997 and 1998, we conducted a prospective study in 60 Surgical patients placed PICC lines and 60 surgical patients placed central lines. Study variables included three varying sizes of PICC, tip placement and complication rates of single-slumen PICCs compared with central venous access. Results A total PICC placement was 95% successful in 60 of 63 surgical patients. The mean duration PICC catheters in place before removal was 13 days (6~98 days) and 14 days (7~104 days) in central catheter. In PICC group patients, fifty-three catheters (88. 3 %) were removed folowing completion of therapy. The occlusion rate is higher in 3Fr (20-gauge) catheter (4/20,20%) than in 4Fr. (18-gauge) catheters (2/20, 10%) and in 5Fr (16-gauge) catheters (1/20, 5%). Phlebit is occurred in 5% patients (3/60) and one catheter fracture was happened on the catheter-hub junction (1. 7%). The catheter tip disbotion occurred in 3 cases with PICC (3/60, 5 %) and 1 case with central catheter (1/60, 1.7 %). No catheter-related Sepsis, pnemothorax or hemopnemothorax happened in both group patients. Conclusions PICC lines are satisfy mid-and long-term used in the patients receiving a variety of solutions, primarily parenteral nutrition, chemotherapy or antibiotic infusion. The new method provides a reliable,effective venos access and many possible severa complications of central venous access. The convenience of placement and maintaining a PICC with lower risks of complications compared with central venous access makes it attractive in-hospital use.