Surgical Entrapment and Catheter Embolization: A Rare Complication of Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters
Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are a feasible alternative to conventional central venous access. PICCs are often used perioperatively for central venous pressure monitoring and administration of vasoactive drugs especially in cancer patients. Catheter breakage and embolization are rare but potentially fatal complications, and most of the reported literature pertains to pediatric patients after medium- to long-term use. In this report, we describe a rare scenario of catheter breakage, entrapment, and embolization in a patient caused by inadvertent surgical clip and suture placement. Accepted for publication May 30, 2019. Funding: None. The authors declare no conflicts of interest. Address correspondence to Seema Mishra, MD, Department of Onco-Anaesthesia and Palliative Medicine, Dr BRAIRCH, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110029, New Delhi. Address e-mail to seemamishra2003@gmail.com. © 2019 International Anesthesia Research Society