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. 2023 Sep 6;39(1):264.
doi: 10.1007/s00383-023-05545-4.

Peripherally inserted central catheters can be an alternative to tunneled central venous catheters in chemotherapy for hematological and oncological pediatric patients

Yuko Kamata  1 , Yuki Mizuno  2 , Kentaro Okamoto  1 , Shota Okamoto  1 , Yoshifumi Ito  1 , Aya Nishigata  1
Affiliations

Peripherally inserted central catheters can be an alternative to tunneled central venous catheters in chemotherapy for hematological and oncological pediatric patients

Yuko Kamata et al. Pediatr Surg Int. .

Abstract

Purpose: Tunneled central venous catheters (TCVs) are commonly used for pediatric chemotherapy. Recently, peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) have been used instead. Although PICC has the advantages of simpler insertion and fewer severe complications, there is little information on the efficacy of PICC compared to TCV in pediatric chemotherapy.

Methods: Patients, aged younger than 18 years, with primary malignancy who received chemotherapy with PICC or TCV at our institution from December 2007 to August 2022 were included in the study. We retrospectively compared PICC and TCV using medical records.

Results: Within the observation period, 133 catheters (73 PICCs and 60 TCVs) were inserted. The median indwelling time was 99 days for PICCs and 182 days for TCVs, with TCVs being significantly longer (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in the incidence of complications, such as infections, thrombosis, obstruction, or mechanical accidents. Comparing patients treated with PICC (PICC group) versus those with TCV (TCV group), the time from diagnosis to insertion was significantly shorter in the PICC group (p < 0.001). In the PICC group, none of the patients required general anesthesia, and chemotherapy was completed with PICC only.

Conclusion: PICC can be an alternative to TCV in pediatric chemotherapy.

Keywords: Chemotherapy; Pediatric; Peripherally inserted central catheter; Tunneled central venous catheter.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The schematic diagram of the study according to the case selection; HCT hematopoietic cell transplantation, PICC peripherally inserted central catheter, and TCV tunneled cuffed central venous catheter
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Catheter survival rate comparing TCVs and PICCs. A Overall catheter survival and B catheter survival without any complication; PICC peripherally inserted central catheter, TCV tunneled cuffed central venous catheter, and *significant values
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Catheter survival rate in three different central venous catheter types. A Overall catheter survival and B catheter survival without any complication. C-PICC closed-ended peripherally inserted central catheter, O-PICC open-ended peripherally inserted central catheter, TCV tunneled cuffed central venous catheter, and *significant values
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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