ADVANTAGES OF HICKMAN CATHETER: AN EFFICIENT WAY OF LONG-TERM VASCULAR ACCESS

In the last decade, Hickman catheters have been increasingly used in a wide range of clinical disorders, necessitating long term and efficient vascular access through subclavian vein or any of the following veins of external jugular, internal jugular or cephalic veins. When placed properly, Hickman catheters enable certain easiness both to the patient and the physician. Among the major advantages are, dramatically reduced risk of infection due to long subcutaneous tunnel, much less risk of thromboembolic complications even with hyperosmolar TPN infussions and comfortable, painless blood sample collections through the double lumened cathaters which is not requiring a skin prick. Hickman catheters are the decades choice of vascular access, preferably used for oncology patients receiving cycling chemotherapy, total paranteral nutrition and blood component therapy. In this article, Hickman applications to 10 patients receiving cyclic chemotherapy is reported. Technical aspects of the procedure, various ways of insertion, complications and advantages are discussed.