[Experiences with 3151 central venous catheters at a surgical clinic].

The incidence of infection among over 3,000 central venous catheters, placed over a period of 18 months, was analysed, 1,570 retrospectively and 1,581 prospectively. The Shaldon catheter had the highest infection rate of the various catheter types. Taking the findings of 983 catheters of one type, Cavafix, the infection rate was significantly higher when the internal jugular vein was the site of puncture instead of the cubital or subclavian veins. Signs of inflammation at the site of catheter entry were a further risk factor for infection. Although the clinical suspicion of catheter-induced sepsis proved groundless in nearly half the cases, early catheter removal is at present the most effective prophylactic means, while routine weekly catheter replacement did not reduce the infection rate. Catheter colonization and catheter sepsis are predominantly problems of nursing and hygiene. The infection rate was reduced through nursing and supervision by personnel specially trained in infectious precautions.