This article reports the results of three prospective clinical studies conducted in a university hospital regarding the efficacy, safety and cost effectiveness of a subcutaneously anchored sutureless system for securing central venous catheters. The results were favourable to the adoption of such a device, and the analysis of the data allowed the authors to define those categories of patients where the device should have the most benefit: neonates, children, non-compliant older patients with cognitive difficulties, patients with skin abnormalities that may reduce the effectiveness of a skin-adhesive sutureless securement system, patients who are candidates for having a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) in place for more than 8 weeks, and any other category of patients with a recognised high risk of catheter dislodgement.

Background: In some clinical conditions, central venous access is preferably or necessarily achieved by threading the catheter into the inferior vena cava. This can be obtained not only by puncture of the common femoral vein at the groin, but also—as suggested by few recent studies—by puncture of the superficial femoral vein at mid-thigh. Methods: We have retrospectively reviewed our experience with central catheters inserted by ultrasound-guided puncture and cannulation of the superficial femoral vein, focusing mainly on indications, technique of venipuncture, and incidence of immediate/early complications. Results: From June 2020 to December 2020, we have inserted 98 non-tunneled central venous catheters (tip in inferior vena cava or right atrium) by ultrasound-guided puncture of the superficial femoral vein at mid-thigh or in the lower third of the thigh, all of them secured by subcutaneous anchorage. The success of the maneuver was 100% and immediate/early complications were negligible. Follow-up of hospitalized patients (72.5% of all cases) showed only one episode of catheter dislodgment, no episode of infection and no episode of catheter related thrombosis. Conclusions: The ultrasound approach to the superficial femoral vein is an absolutely safe technique of central venous access. In our experience, it was not associated with any risk of severe insertion-related complications, even in patients with low platelet count or coagulation disorders. Also, the exit site of the catheter at mid-thigh may have advantages if compare to the exit site in the inguinal area.

Background: PICC-ports may be defined as totally implantable central venous devices inserted in the upper limb using the current state-of-the-art techniques of PICC insertion (ultrasound-guided venipuncture of deep veins of the arm, micro-puncture kits, proper location of the tip preferably by intracavitary ECG), with placement of the reservoir at the middle third of the arm. A previous report on breast cancer patients demonstrated the safety and efficacy of these devices, with a very low failure rate. Methods: This retrospective multicenter cohort study—developed by GAVeCeLT (the Italian Group of Long-Term Venous Access Devices)—investigated the outcomes of PICC-ports in a large cohort of unselected patients. The study included 4480 adult patients who underwent PICC-port insertion in five Italian centers, during a period of 60 months. The primary outcome was device failure, defined as any serious adverse event (SAE) requiring removal. The secondary outcome was the incidence of temporary adverse events (TAE) not requiring removal. Results: The median follow-up was 15.5 months. Device failure occurred in 52 cases (1.2%), the main causes being local infection ( n = 7; 0.16%) and CRBSI ( n = 19; 0.42%). Symptomatic catheter-related thrombosis occurred in 93 cases (2.1%), but removal was required only in one case (0.02%). Early/immediate and late TAE occurred in 904 cases (20.2%) and in 176 cases (3.9%), respectively. Conclusions: PICC-ports are safe venous access devices that should be considered as an alternative option to traditional arm-ports and chest-ports when planning chemotherapy or other long-term intermittent intravenous treatments.

Objectives: A narrow subpubic arch angle (SPA) has been associated with a higher risk of operative delivery and prolonged labor. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between SPA and labor outcome in a cohort of women delivering a large-for-gestational-age (LGA) fetus. Methods: An observational study involving two Italian tertiary centers (Parma and Rome) was carried out. Nulliparous women referred to the antepartum clinic between 35 and 39 weeks due to an increased risk of having an LGA fetus at birth were prospectively selected for the study purpose. Within the study cohort, SPA measurements were obtained by means of transperineal 3D ultrasound. Elective caesarean section and birth weight below 3,750 g represented exclusion criteria. In the final study group, SPA values were compared between the patients who underwent spontaneous vaginal delivery (SVD) and those who were submitted to unplanned obstetric intervention (UOI) due to prolonged or arrested labor (vacuum delivery or caesarean section). Results: Overall, 129 women were included, and the mean birthweight of the neonates was 4,066 ± 263.03 g. SVD occurred in 63 patients (48.8%), whereas UOI due to prolonged or arrested labor was performed in 66 (51.2%), including 21 cases of vacuum delivery and 45 caesarean sections. The SPA was significantly smaller among women who underwent UOI than in those who achieved SVD (107.9 ± 13.4 vs. 120.7 ± 9.4°, p < 0.001). Furthermore, SPA width was inversely correlated with labor length (p < 0.001). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that a smaller SPA (OR 1.091, 95% CI 1.051-1.134, p < 0.001) and an increased birthweight (OR 1.002, 95% CI 1.000-1.004, p = 0.037) were independent risk factors for operative delivery. Conclusion: SPA measurement before labor is helpful in predicting the risk of operative delivery due to prolonged or arrested labor among nulliparous women delivering LGA fetuses.