Insertion of Hickman catheters by the percutaneous technique
Teh, A.; Leong, K.W.
Medical Journal of Malaysia 50(4): 353-358
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-5283 PMID: 8668056 Document Number: 452340
Hickman catheters have previously been conventionally placed by surgical dissection. This usually performed by experienced surgeons and is carried out under general anaesthesia. We report our preliminary experience in Hickman catheter placement by percutaneous technique in twenty patients. We outline the implantation methods and complications encountered by this technique. The procedure is relatively simple provided the operator is skilled in central venous cannulation. The chief advantages are that the procedure can be done under local anaesthesia and results in less trauma compared with surgical dissection. Such an alternative in catheter insertion would promote wider usage of Hickman catheters in cancer patients.