Reduced catheter sepsis and prolonged catheter life using a tunnelled silicone rubber catheter for total parenteral nutrition

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Abstract
One hundred and five patients were given total parenteral nutrition (TPN) for an average of 15 days via centrally placed venous catheters. Thirty-seven polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and 80 silicone rubber catheters were used. All the silicone rubber and 8 of the PVC catheters were buried in a subcutaneous tunnel. When silicone rubber catheters were used, there was significantly less catheter sepsis (P<<0·01), catheter life was prolonged by 50 per cent and fewer catheter insertions per patient were necessary.