Continuous venous access in children with urological diseases.

The placement of multipurpose silicone right atrial catheters for continuous venous access in children with complex urological diseases has become increasingly necessary. Between September 1985 and September 1987, 26 children with a variety of urological diseases required long-term central venous access, primarily for delivery of chemotherapy and blood products in 13 patients with malignancies, hemodialysis access in 7 undergoing renal transplantation, total parenteral nutrition in 5 (2 of whom were born with cloacal exstrophy), and fluid and antibiotic administration in 1 with dermatomyositis and acute pyelonephritis. Patient age at catheter placement ranged from 1 day to 15 years. A total of 11 complications was encountered during 4,500 catheter days: 10 were mechanical and 1 was infectious in nature. These complications led to replacement of the catheter in 3 patients and the remainder were managed successfully nonoperatively. The surgical techniques involved in placement of these catheters are discussed. The catheters not only allowed many of these patients to receive treatment on an outpatient basis but also ensured their survival. Our favorable experience with prolonged venous access in children should encourage urologists to include these techniques in their armamentarium.