Reinsertion of accidentally removed tunneled central venous catheter via the existing subcutaneous tract

Background. A technique for reinsertion of an inadvertently removed tunnele d central venous catheter is presented. A 6-year-old boy with short-gut syn drome caused by necrotizing enterocolitis accidentally removed his tunneled central venous catheter Materials and methods. The existing subcutaneous catheter tract was recanal ized using a hydrophilic guidewire and 5-French end-hole catheter with the child unter conscious sedation, and a new catheter was placed over a guidew ire. Results. This obviated the need for a new venipuncture and creation of a ne w subcutaneous tunnel, which are performed under general anesthesia in our hospital.