Catheter Dislocation and the Influence of Different Catheter Fixation in Pediatric Patients

Catheter Dislocation and the Influence of Different Catheter Fixation in Pediatric Patients: Prospective Observational Trial

Insertion of intravenous or intra-arterial catheter is one of the most common procedures in anesthesiology and intensive care medicine. After successful insertion, proper catheter fixation is required to maintain the catheter correct position with the aim to preserve catheter patency, prevent excessive movements of catheter or even iatrogenic catheter extraction/dislocation. Beside the historically preferred surgical fixation to the skin of the patient (invasive method, repeated percutaneous punction), atraumatic fixation by special dressing is currently available in clinical practice. In pediatric patients, due to limited cooperation, higher risk of dislocation exists.

Pediatric patients with intravenous and/or intraarterial catheters with estimated length of insertion over 72 hours will be included into the trial.Type of catheter fixation (surgical versus atraumatic) will be evaluated. Demographic data, local and systemic complication between the group of surgical fixation and atraumatic fixation will be evaluated.

Inclusion Criteria:

• pediatric patients with intravenous/intraarterial catheter secured at Departement of pediatric anesthesiology and intensive care medicine
• estimated length of catheter left in place longer than 72 hours

Exclusion Criteria:

• estimated length of catheter left in place shorter than 72 hours
• impossible patient´s evaluation after catheter insertion