Previous studies indicated that the risk of
thrombophlebitis associated with continuous infusion of intravenous nutrition (IVN) via peripheral veins was reduced when fine-bore
catheters, inserted to 15 cm, were used in place of standard intravenous cannulas. An explanation has not been identified, but may be owing to the greater length of the
catheters. A randomised controlled study was performed in which a standard nutritional
solution was infused via 22G
polyurethane catheters inserted to a length of either 5 cm or 15 cm.
Catheters were reviewed twice each day and removed when complications occurred, or when IVN was no longer required. There was no significant difference in median time to
thrombophlebitis or extravasation, or in daily risk of
thrombophlebitis, between insertion lengths. Survival proportions were similar for each length at all times.
Catheters inserted into cephalic veins were more prone to
thrombophlebitis or extravasation (nine episodes, 14
catheters) than
catheters inserted into basilic veins (five episodes, 24
catheters, P = 0.009). The survival proportion was at all times greater when
catheter tips lay in basilic veins. Thus, the risk of
thrombophlebitis or extravasation was not influenced by the length of
catheter within the vein. However, the vein in which the
catheter tip lay appeared to influence the development of morbidity.