Needle loss in subclavian vein during central venous catheter placement: Case report of a rare complication
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Date
2-24-2015
Journal
Patient Safety in Surgery
Volume
9
Issue
1
DOI
10.1186/s13037-014-0049-y
Keywords
Catheter; Fluoroscopy; Obesity; Subclavian; Ultrasound
Abstract
© 2015 Botolin et al. We present a case of needle separation during central venous catheter (CVC) placement in a super morbidly obese patient with subsequent surgical intervention in its retrieval. This complication, potentially lethal due to the relevant anatomy of such a procedure, alerts critical care physicians and surgeons to the possibility of equipment failure and stresses proper technique in what has become a routine procedure. It also emphasizes the routine use of ultrasound-guidance for cannulation in patients of any body habitus. While infection and arrhythmia are the generally known complications of CVC placement, clinicians must be alert to unanticipated events such as needle separation. In our case, the retrieval of this needle required multi-disciplinary intervention between radiology, critical care, vascular surgery, and thoracic surgery. Our event stresses hypervigilance to complications in a common procedure.
APA Citation
Botolin, D., Mooser, A., Stillions, D., Mortman, K., Sarin, S., & Babrowicz, J. (2015). Needle loss in subclavian vein during central venous catheter placement: Case report of a rare complication. Patient Safety in Surgery, 9 (1). http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13037-014-0049-y