Abstract
Introduction : Catheter which strays in the ascending lumbar vein during femoral vein catheterization can cause complications such as retroperitoneal hematoma. However, not much is known of this phenomenon.
Methods : We retrospectively studied 107 patients who had indwelling femoral vein catheter in our hospital between March 2013 and April 2011.
Results : The catheter went straying in the ascending lumbar vein 11/110 times (10.0%) , 5/34 times (14.7%) on the left side, and 6/76 times (7.9%) on the right side. The possibility of the catheter straying was maximum when the catheter was displaced laterally or raised sharply towards the caudal side, as seen through abdominal radiographic examination.
Conclusion : Femoral central venous catheter misplacement in the ascending lumbar veins is fairly common. Tests such as additional abdominal CT or radiographs should be conducted if misplacement is suspected.
