Femoral Tunneled Central Venous Catheters for Terminally Ill Patients with Cancer

Background: Femoral to abdomen tunneling of small-bore central venous catheters is a bedside technique for patients with contraindications to a thoracic approach, or as an alternative to a lower extremity catheter exit site. Method: A femoral to abdomen tunneling technique was implemented for patients receiving medium and long-term intravenous treatments with contraindications to the thoracic venous approach or as an alternative to a lower extremity catheter exit site. All venous access devices were inserted with ultrasound guidance under local anesthesia, and catheter tip placement assessed by post procedural radiography. Results: In this case series, from January 2020 to January 2023, a total of eight FTA-tunneled venous access devices were inserted. There were seven ambulatory patients and one bedbound patient. The median length of the subcutaneous tunnel was 20 cm, ranging from 15 to 27 cm. The median length of the intravenous catheter to the terminal tip was 31 cm, ranging from 23 to 40 cm. Tip location was confirmed by post-procedural abdominal radiograph. The catheter tip locations were interpreted to be at the level of T8-T9 (2), T12 (1), L4 (2), L2 (2), L1(1). No insertion or post insertion related complication was reported. Six patients completed the scheduled intravenous treatment. One patient was unable to be tracked due to transfer to an outside facility. One catheter initially demonstrated to be coiled over the left common iliac vessel was repositioned using a high flow flush technique. There was one reported catheter dislodgment by the nurse providing care and maintenance. The overall implant days were 961, with a median dwell time of 125 days ranging from 20 to 399 days. Conclusion: Femoral to abdomen tunneling provides an alternative exit site useful in select patients with complex intravenous access. The data of this small retrospective review suggests this a safe and minimally invasive bedside procedure.

show abstract

scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.

Contact Info

customersupport@researchsolutions.com

10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614

Henderson, NV 89052, USA

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Blog Terms and Conditions API Terms Privacy Policy Contact Cookie Preferences Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

Made with 💙 for researchers

Part of the Research Solutions Family.

Femoral Tunneled Central Venous Catheters for Terminally Ill Patients with Cancer

Abstract: FTCs were successfully inserted, with a low complication rate. FTC, a simple technique, might be an acceptable alternative in selected terminally ill patients with cancer, when SVC insertion is difficult or contraindicated.

Cited by 2 publications

References 17 publications

Choosing the Right Central Venous Catheter for Parenteral Nutrition

Choosing the Right Central Venous Catheter for Parenteral Nutrition

Femoral to abdomen tunneling at the bedside for medium/long term venous access

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About