Abstract:
Background: Umbilical venous catheter (UVC) placement is common in neonates but carries risks of migration and infection. This study evaluates safety of a novel fixation technique using the umbilical cord clamp after a side-entry insertion.
Methods: A retrospective analysis of 264 neonates was conducted at a tertiary center in order to assess safety of the novel UVC fixation method. The new technique involved side-entry catheter insertion without severing the cord, secured to the clamp with a sterile patch. Catheter tip position was confirmed and monitored every 24 h via ultrasound.
Results: Catheter migration occurred in 18.9% of cases, mostly inward into the right atrium which was managed by repositioning. Migration into the ductus venosus requiring removal occurred in 0.7% of cases and unscheduled removal due to stump detachment in 1.5%. No central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) were observed.
Conclusions: The umbilical cord clamp method is a safe, single-operator alternative for UVC fixation. This technique had a low rate of catheter migration, did not increase the risk of infection, and was cost-effective and simple.
Reference:Tomaszkiewicz A, Kruczek P, Szymański P, Teplicki P, Abu Faraj-Batko R, Sobczak A, Kahtan S, Kramer BW, Mazela J. The Umbilical Cord Clamp Method-Procedural Description and Safety Assessment of a Novel Method of Umbilical Catheter Fixation After Side Entry Insertion. Life (Basel). 2025 Dec 18;15(12):1935. doi: 10.3390/life15121935. PMID: 41465874; PMCID: PMC12734839.