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Correcting Misdirected UVCs
Double Catheter Technique for Misdirected Umbilical Vein Catheter. Mandel D, Mimouni FB, Littner Y, et al. J Pediatr 2001 (Oct); 139: 591-2).
The authors studied the success rate of the double catheter technique during umbilical venous catheter placement in 42 patients with a misdirected umbilical vein catheter. The misdirected catheter was left in place and an additional catheter was inserted in the umbilical vein. X-ray films confirmed that successful placement was achieved in 50% of these infants without any significant adverse effects.
Comment. I’ve used this technique in the past for misdirected UACs (in the leg), and it usually succeeded in directing the second catheter up the aorta. It sounds like it can work for misdirected UVCs as well. I’ll try it the next time I have a UVC that takes a wrong turn into the liver bed.
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