Peripherally inserted central catheters in children with cystic fibrosis. Eight cases of difficult removal.

Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are widely used in the management of cystic fibrosis (CF) in children and adults. The authors present a collection of eight case reports of patients with CF in whom removal of PICCs was difficult, including two PICCs that required surgical removal. The cases were observed in a regional pediatric CF unit in the United Kingdom. Possible etiology and strategies that can be used to achieve catheter removal are discussed.