AN IN-VITRO STUDY OF SILICONE MIGRATION FROM INTRAVENOUS FLUID TUBING

Migration of particulate matter from plastic tubing and solid plastic implants has been documented in a number of studies, including some wi th the use of cardiac bypass, haemodialysis, and pump-assisted intrave nous infusions. In order to ascertain whether silicone embolisation oc curs when children have an Ivac 560 pump-assisted IV infusion, we pass ed 180 mi of pumped fluid through a microfilter and compared the scann ing electron micrographs of those filters with unused filters and with others through which a similar volume had been passed without using t he pump. The particles on the filters were analysed for their elementa l content using energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. In addition, the app earance of the silicone tubing used in the pump over 3 and 72 h was as sessed and compared to that of flow-only and unused tubing. More parti cles were found on the microfilter when fluid had been delivered via t he pump than on those through which non-pumped fluid had passed or tha t were unused. Elemental silicon-containing particles were only found on the filter when a pump had been attached to the IV line. The flow-o nly and unused tubing were found to have adherent particles on the inn er surface that were not seen once the tubing had been used for 3 h in the Ivac 560 pump. Also, after 72 h use, the silicone tubing had a de formed inner layer. The clinical significance of these findings is yet to be determined, but it does appear that silicone embolisation occur s during pump-assisted infusions in children.