Complications in the use of intravenous catheters for major surgery: A clinical study.

Two groups of patients received one of two intravenous catheters, a 20-gauge (ga) Criticon (C group;n=96) or a 20-gauge (ga) Vitaflon Plus (V group;n=100). Each catheter was inserted under identical cannulation conditions. Fluids and drugs used pre- and postoperatively were comparable in both groups. All catheters remained in place for a minimum of 4 days. Variables related to the quality of cannula were more favorable with the V group catheter. The incidence of early complications (erythema, swelling, tissue hardness, pain) was comparable in both groups. The survival distribution curves for all complications and swelling >2 cm were significantly longer in the V group. The frequency of swelling correlated with difficulty during vein penetration, slow blood flashback, and damage to the catheter. The incidence of complications following cannulation was high in both groups. The period from catheter insertion to the clinical onset of phlebitis was prolonged in both groups if antiphlebitogenous fluids were used. The incidence of late complications (phlebitis, displacement of the cannulae, etc.) and damage to the catheters was more frequent in the C group. The authors discuss the clinical relevance of these findings.