A Retained Polyethylene Catheter Fragment in Superior Vena Cava - A case report-

상대정맥내 폴리에틸렌관 잔존물 치험 1례

This represents a case report of the retained polyethylene catheter fragment in superior vena cava. A 39 year old male was admitted to this Korea University Hospital a short time after compression wound on abdomen with heavy cement material in emergency room, a polyethylene catheter was introduced into the right subclavian vein through a needle. But when the polyethylene catheter was attempted to withdraw the catheter was severed by the beveled tip of the needle. Later that day, chest X-ray disclosed the presence of the fragment extending from right subclavian vein to the superior vena cava. {Fig. 1 and Fig. 2]. Local exploration by way of an infraclavicular incision was unsuccessful in locating the catheter fragment. Another attempt was then made remove the catheter by means a biotome, which is originally a device for the biopsy of the myocardium, introduced through the right great saphenous vein. This procedure, though well tolerated by the patient, was in vain. After 11 days later, during that time he was taken a laparotomy with drain, another operation for removal of retained catheter fragment was performed through median sternotomy. After exposure of the right subclavian vein, innominate vein, and superior vena cava, an incision 1 cm in |length was made directly over the palpated catheter. The catheter immediately was picked upward and removed. The length of the catheter was approximately 8 cm. [Fig 3 ] There was no evidence of thromboembolism from the catheter or other complications. The patient made an uneventful recovery, and was discharged asymptomatic on the 9th postoperative day.