FINE-BORE CANNULAS FOR PERIPHERAL INTRAVENOUS NUTRITION - POLYURETHANE OR SILICONE

The peripheral intravenous route is being used more frequently for the administration of short- to medium-term parenteral nutritional suppor t. Dedicated fine bore cannulas have signficantly reduced the incidenc e of thrombophlebitis. Currently available cannulas are made of polyur ethane or silicone, We present our experience with a 23% silicone cann ula and a 22G polyurethane alternative. Fifty-four silicone cannulas w ere used with a median survival of only 3 days, compared with 7 days f or 90 polyurethane cannulas (P < 0.0001), Only 22% of silicone cannula s were removed electively compared with 56% of polyurethane cannulas ( P < 0.00005), The mast common cause for silicone cannula removal was o cclusion (48%), which occurred in only 8% of polyurethane cannulas (P < 0.00001). Polyurethane cannulas develop fewer complications and are more effective in the delivery of peripheral intravenous nutritional s upport.