Application of in situ displacement of peripherally inserted central catheter in elderly patients

Objective To explore the feasibility of the in situ displacement of peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC)in elderly patients.Methods A total of 26 patients with PICC who needed new catheters were given in situ displacement of PICC.Successful rate of puncture, hemorrhagic complications (local errhysis and swelling formation)and catheter-associated compli-cations (phlebitis)were observed.Results All patients were successfully displaced catheters,and X-ray showed the end of PICC catheters were placed rightly on the inferior margin of T6~T7 levels, in which 24 patients were successes by the first surgery and 2 by the second one.The mean catheter stays was 6~12 months,and no patients had relevant complications like severe hemorrhagic compli-cations,venous thrombosis and air embolism,etc.Conclusion In situ displacement of PICC is sim-ple in operation and slight in trauma,which can be effectively and safely applied in elderly patients.