Tunneled Central Lines in Children
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 4, 2025.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
A tunneled central line is a type of long-term IV catheter. A catheter is a flexible tube used to give treatments and to take blood. You can see the catheter under your child's skin before it enters a vein near his or her heart. You will need to flush and care for your child's central line as directed.
HOW TO PREPARE:
Before your child's surgery:
- Tell your child's surgeon about all medicines he or she currently takes. The surgeon will tell you if your child needs to stop any medicine for surgery, and when to stop. He or she will tell you which medicines to give or not give your child on the day of surgery.
- Tell the surgeon if your child has a history of problems with blood clotting. Tell him or her if your child has had a central line before.
- Your child may need to have an ultrasound or other tests before having the central line placed.
The day of your child's surgery:
- You or a close family member will be asked to sign a legal document called a consent form. It gives healthcare providers permission to do the procedure or surgery on your child. It also explains the problems that may happen, and your choices. Make sure all your questions are answered before you sign this form.
- Give only the medicines your child's surgeon told you to give.
- An anesthesiologist will talk to you about medicines to keep your child asleep or to numb the area. Tell him or her if your child or anyone in his or her family has had a problem with anesthesia.
- Your child may be given sedative medicine to help him or her remain calm and relaxed during surgery.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN:
What will happen:
- The table may be tipped so that your child's head is slightly lower than his or her feet. Your child's surgeon will insert a needle through your child's skin until the needle reaches the vein. Ultrasound or x-ray may be used to help guide placement of the catheter. A guide wire will be used to help place the catheter in your child's vein. A catheter that contains or is coated with germ-killing medicine may be used to help prevent infection.
- The needle and guide wire will be removed, and the catheter will stay in the vein. Your child's surgeon will secure the catheter to your child's skin with tape or stitches. A new bandage will be placed over the area to keep it clean and help prevent infection.
CONTACT YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IF:
- Your child gets sick with a cold or flu, or he has a fever.
Risks
- When the catheter is put in, your child's vein may tear, or the catheter may injure a nerve. The catheter may go into the wrong area or blood vessel during surgery. Air or blood may leak into the space around your child's lungs and cause heart or lung problems. The area around your child's catheter may get infected, or he or she may get a bloodstream infection. The catheter may get blocked, and healthcare providers may need to remove or replace it.
- Medicine may leak on your child's skin and cause pain, swelling, or blisters. Your child may have bleeding, an allergy to heparin, or heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). HIT is a low number of blood platelets, which increases the risk of bleeding. Your child may develop a blood clot. The blood clot may break loose and travel to his or her lungs. This can be life-threatening.
Care Agreement
You have the right to help plan your child's care. Learn about your child's health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your child's healthcare providers to decide what care you want for your child.© Copyright Merative 2025 Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.
The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
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