Venous access using the Hickman catheter.

Fifty silastic (Hickman) right atrial catheters were implanted in 43 patients receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy or parenteral nutrition. The mean catheter survival was 72 days (range 2-316 days), but 17 catheters were removed before treatment was complete. Thirteen catheters were removed for septic complications. It is concluded that the Hickman catheter will provide venous access for prolonged periods, but its benefits must be weighed against the risks of septic complications which may occur frequently in the absence of uniform care and maintenance of the catheter.