Buy Article Permissions and Reprints Abstract

Objective Umbilical catheter malposition rate is high. We compared a Novel Umbilical Securement Device (NUSD) to standard methodologies for neonatal invasive care unit patients undergoing laparotomy.

Study Design Retrospective study was performed on infants undergoing laparotomy from April 2019 to January 2023. Two neonatologists compared position of umbilical arterial catheter/umbilical venous catheter (UVC) on perioperative chest X-ray (CXRs) in patients with or without NUSD.

Results Eighteen patients underwent laparotomy, of which 8 patients had NUSD (9 lines) and 10 patients did not (14 lines). In NUSD group, mean gestational age was 37 ± 4 weeks and mean birth weight was 2.3 ± 0.9 kg compared with 31 ± 8 weeks and 2.1 ± 1.4 kg in non-NUSD group, respectively. The mean age at surgery was 5 ± 7 and 5 ± 3 days, respectively. No malposition was seen in NUSD group, while 57% of UVCs (28% of lines) were malpositioned postoperatively in non-NUSD group (p = 0.048).

Conclusion NUSD is an umbilical catheter securement device with low malposition rate, specifically during perioperative period with heightened risk for dislodgement.

Key Points

Umbilical catheters provide reliable access for neonates but have a high rate of malpositioning.

NUSD is an umbilical catheter securement device with low malposition rate.

NUSD can be kept in place during laparotomy and can decrease the risk of malpositioning.

Keywords umbilical catheter malpositioning - umbilical catheter securement device - laparotomy in NICU patients - neonate laparotomy Publication History

Received: 26 July 2023

Accepted: 25 September 2023

Accepted Manuscript online:
27 September 2023

Article published online:
16 November 2023

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