Percutaneous inferior vena cava cannulation for long-term parenteral nutrition.

Thrombosis of the superior vena cava and its contributory veins from previous parenteral nutrition catheters precluded this approach for a new Hickman catheter in a patient with short-gut syndrome. Percutaneous puncture of the inferior vena cava with subcutaneous tunneling of the catheter to the anterior chest wall provided good access to the central venous circulation for long-term parenteral nutrition.