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A novel technique for removing a fibrin sheath from a mediport catheter in the pediatric population

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Abstract

Mediport (also known as port, portacath or Infusaport) is a commonly placed central venous access in pediatric patients. Fibrin sheath formation around the central venous catheter is a common biological response leading to port malfunction in the form of inability to aspirate but preserved capacity for infusion of fluids. If fibrinolytic therapy fails, percutaneous fibrin sheath stripping via transfemoral route or replacement with a new mediport are routine/conventional treatments for a fibrin sheath. We describe a novel technique for removing a fibrin sheath by exteriorizing the catheter through the neck entry site, stripping the fibrin sheath from the catheter manually under sterile conditions and replacing the catheter via a peel-away sheath introduced through the same skin incision as an alternative to complete port replacement or attempted catheter stripping.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Section of Interventional Radiology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 200 Lothrop St., Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA

    Avinash N. Medsinge & James K. Park

  2. Department of Radiology, Section of Interventional Radiology, Children’s Hospital of UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Avinash N. Medsinge, Sabri Yilmaz, James K. Park & John J. Crowley

  3. Department of Radiology, Section of Interventional Radiology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Fernando A. Escobar

Authors
  1. Avinash N. Medsinge
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  2. Fernando A. Escobar
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  3. Sabri Yilmaz
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  4. James K. Park
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  5. John J. Crowley
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Correspondence to Avinash N. Medsinge.

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Medsinge, A.N., Escobar, F.A., Yilmaz, S. et al. A novel technique for removing a fibrin sheath from a mediport catheter in the pediatric population. Pediatr Radiol 49, 141–145 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-018-4243-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-018-4243-4

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