SPONTANEOUS CORRECTION OF THE MALPOSITIONED PERCUTANEOUS CENTRAL VENOUS LINE IN INFANTS

Malpositioning of the percutaneously placed central venous line (PCVL) or percutaneously inserted central catheter (PICC) in infants is not a rare occurrence. It has been occasionally observed that: these lines spontaneously correct themselves. This prospective study was done to study the incidence of malposition and spontaneous correction. Using a modification of the standard method, 187 catheters were placed with 9 8.9% success. Seven of these were initially malpositioned. All seven c orrected themselves within a day when left in and used as a peripheral intravenous line. In many centers malpositioned catheters are taken o ut and replaced, which imposes great stress on the critically ill infa nt. Our study suggests that to avoid this stress the catheter should b e left in place, since spontaneous correction may occur.