Trimming long-term tunneled central venous catheters in pediatric patients^†

Long-term tunneled central venous catheters (CVC) are employed in critically ill patients. Manufacturers do not provide patient-customized devices; therefore, trimming is required for pediatric use. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) was used to assess changes induced by different trimming methods on single and double lumen Hickman–Broviac catheters. Increased roughness, exposure of inorganic macroaggreagates and increase in surface inorganic charges were generated by the trimming procedure, with the scalpel producing a smoother surface compared to scissors. Trimming produces changes on the CVC surface that may influence the rate of long-term complications. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013; 60: 152–155. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.