Complications of umbilical vein catheterization: neonatal total parenteral nutrition ascites after surgical repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

A 2-day-old girl was admitted to surgery for repair of a left-sided diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Preoperatively, an umbilical vein catheter (UVC) was inserted with the tip in the left hypochondrium. The UVC tip position was unchanged radiographically peroperatively. At the fifth postopertive day abdominal distension and signs of gastric outlet obstruction appeared. Explorative laparotomy found liver necrosis at the site of the catheter tip and parenteral nutrition ascites. Copyright 2002, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.