Mechanical treatment of central venous catheter complete occlusion

The use of central venous catheter (CVC) has contributed to improve the quality of life in children with haematological malignancies. Besides the advantages, various complications have emerged, such as mechanical obstruction. This study describes/suggests an interesting mechanical manoeuvre performed by an expert radiologist to restore the patency of completely occluded CVC. During the last 2 years, five children of our Center affected by malignancies were enrolled in this study because of a complete and permanent occlusion of their Hickman catheter. In our experience, this mechanical manoeuvre is safe and successful, especially if it is followed by the combined use of a thrombolytic agent, such as Urokinase, and high concentration of heparin. Furthermore this technique seems to have no complications, neither mechanical nor infective.