Complete ultrasound-guided insertion of surgically implanted central venous catheters in children and adolescents - a randomized controlled study

Summary description of the study

For the treatment of certain conditions (especially cancers), patients require so-called central venous catheters. This requires a vein in the neck to be punctured either 'blindly' or under ultrasound guidance. The catheter is then placed into the superior vena cava or the right atrium of the heart. The puncturing of a vein is already performed under ultrasound guidance. Typically, the correct position and course of the catheter is verified under radiological fluoroscopy, which involves ionizing radiation. Despite radiological fluoroscopy, misplacements and complications such as pneumothorax and/or hematothorax can occur. In our institution, in the case of a misplacement, the cardiology colleagues are called in postoperatively, who then confirm, determine, or exclude the correct position using echocardiography. Based on experience from the placement of central venous catheters by the anesthesia and cardiology colleagues, we postulate that we can primarily perform the central venous catheter insertion and placement under ultrasound guidance. Therefore, all children requiring such an intervention are included in the study.

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Intervention under investigation

Success rate of correct placement of the port catheter tube using ultrasound

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Disease under investigation

none

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Sponsor

Inselspital Bern, Kinderchirurgie

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Name of the authorising ethics committee (for multicentre studies, only the lead committee)

Ethics Committee Bern

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Date of authorisation

02.05.2025

(BASEC)

Results of the trial