Anatomical Landmark Method for Paediatric Port Catheter Tip Positioning

Validation of a Palpable Anatomical Landmark Method for Tip Positioning of Paediatric Port Catheters Using Modified Intracavitary Electrocardiography: A Prospective Observational Study

This study looks at how to place port catheters safely and accurately in children who need long-term intravenous treatment.

For these treatments to work well and to avoid problems such as heart rhythm issues, blood clots, or infections, the tip of the catheter must be in the correct position inside a large vein near the heart.

Doctors commonly use two different methods to estimate the correct catheter length. One method uses body measurements and surface landmarks on the chest. The other method, called intracavitary electrocardiography (IC-ECG), uses changes in the heart's electrical signal during the procedure to guide placement.

In this study, researchers compared these two methods in children. They measured how closely the results of the two techniques matched and how much they differed.

After the catheter was placed, chest X-rays were used to check whether the catheter tip was in the correct position.

The goal of this study is to determine whether the simpler anatomical method can provide accurate and clinically reliable results compared to the IC-ECG method.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Pediatric participants aged between 1 month and 17 years scheduled for elective port catheter placement

Exclusion Criteria:

• Participants with central venous anatomical variations or anomalies (such as persistent left superior vena cava or double superior vena cava)
• Participants with thrombosis in the target veins
• Participants with skeletal abnormalities, including anterior chest wall deformities or scoliosis
• Participants for whom parental consent could not be obtained