Current status of the selection and management of central venous catheters used for pediatric patients with leukemia/lymphoma

Abstract

Background: There is only limited information currently available on the types of central venous catheter (CVC) used and how they are managed nationwide during the long-term treatment of childhood leukemia/lymphoma. Therefore, we investigated the selection and management of CVCs at institutions participating in the Japan Pediatric Leukemia/Lymphoma Study Group (JPLSG).

Method: Between February 2016 and July 2016, the JPLSG Supportive Care Committee conducted a web questionnaire survey using SurveyMonkey^® on the use and management of CVCs at 155 institutions participating in JPLSG.

Results: Responses were received from 98 institutions (63%). In the following, “%” refers to the response ratio based on the number of facilities that responded. Regarding children with leukemia/lymphoma, 97% of institutions answered that they used CVCs for all cases. Regarding the type of CVC, 86% of institutions used long-term indwelling types, 16% short-term indwelling types, 7% ports, and 44% peripherally inserted types. Differences were observed in the management of skin puncture sites and the infusion line, including the access port, and suspected catheter-related bloodstream infections among institutions.

Discussion: Owing to differences in the scale of institutions and the medical care system, the management of CVCs markedly differed among institutions. On the basis of the results of this survey, we plan to develop a guide for the management of CVCs.