An easy technique for long-term central venous catheterization and subcutaneous tunneling of the silastic catheter in neonates and infants.

Venous access is a common problem in the care of seriously ill infants and neonates on pediatric and pediatric surgical services, and recently there has been a high increase in indications for central venous lines. With the development of many types of silastic catheters, a new safe and fast method of catheter insertion, subcutaneous tunneling and fixation has been developed. Our method is based on Yoffa's (1965)1 description. In the past we used infraclavicular subclavian venipuncture,2 but now we prefer to use the supraclavicular subclavian venipuncture as the first choice in children. Thirty-one catheters were placed in 27 consecutive patients ranging in age from two days to ten years. Perioperative complications were nil, and those catheterized for a long period of time had relatively few complications.