Percutaneously inserted central catheters in the newborns: a center's experience in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the success rate of insertion of percutaneously inserted central catheters (PICCs) and their duration; and the short- and long-term complications in the neonatal period.

STUDY DESIGN: We did a prospective collection and analysis of the data of all infants who underwent PICC placement from January 2005 and through January 2007. During this period there were 139 PICCs inserted in a total of 124 infants. The data of all infants were compiled, including birth weight, gestational age, diagnosis, type of catheter, site of catheter placement, reason for catheter removal, duration of use of the catheter, and the rate of complications.

RESULTS: The success rate of PICC insertion was 88.5% with the upper extremity being the most frequently used site. The mean duration of PICC treatment was 11.9 +/- 6.3 days. PICCs were removed electively for 72 times (54.1%) and due to catheter-related complications for 61 times (45.9%). The main complication rate was the mechanical occlusion (12.7%). There were no statistically significant differences in the number of complication rates according to the insertion site, the position of the catheter tip, or the size of the catheter.

CONCLUSION: Our initial experience with PICCs is that their use provides life-saving therapy, they are easily inserted and they are convenient. Mechanical complications were the common reason for removal and we did not see complications more serious.