Is central venous access in childhood osteomyelitis associated with increased morbidity?

Children with osteomyelitis need treatment with intravenous antibiotics for protracted periods. An implanted central venous line (CVL) is a good metho d to deliver this treatment. Between 1992 and 1996, 17 patients with osteom yelitis had 20 surgically inserted Hickmann-type CVLs. The outcome of these lines was studied. Patients ranged from 1 month to 14 years of age and the duration of use of the CVL ranged from 6 to 180 days. One CVL was removed because of line sepsis and 1 was removed because of exit-site infection. We conclude that surgically inserted Hickmann-type CVLs in children with a pr e-existing focus of infection in the form of osteomyelitis did not result i n increased morbidity in terms of line sepsis, and served the purpose of pr olonged administration of antibiotics very well.