[Femoral indwelling silicone catheter: experience of three hemodialysis centers].

The use of femoral vein for temporary access in hemodialysis patients is still considered as a slightly desirable route. However recent technical improvements have made this approach more reliable because the new femoral catheters can be left in place for a long time and used for ambulatory treatment. We describe the experience of three hemodialysis centres with temporary indwelling femoral catheter made of silicone (SSL 1220 M, Medcomp) in 55 patients: 3 patients with acute renal failure, 1 requiring plasmapheresis and 51 with chronic renal failure but no other available vascular access. Sixty four catheters were implanted and left in place for a mean of 41.5 +/- 30 days. Complications (mechanical, thrombotic and infectious) were infrequent and never life-threatening. These results suggest that the femoral route can be used reliably for temporary access, and provides advantages over subclavian and jugular routes in certain circumstances.