ABSTRACT
The Hickman catheter is a single or double lumen catheter made of a silicone polymer; it is introduced surgically into the superior vena cava or the right atrium. The authors have used this catheter in 11 children, aged from 3 to 15 years and weighing from 10 to 40 kg, either for haemodialysis in children without arteriovenous fistula (n = 10), or for plasma exchanges (n = 1). In 5 of the 10 children, an arteriovenous fistula was created while the catheter was being installed. The catheter was left in place for a mean period of 48 days and a maximum period of 5 months. Data from the literature suggests that this instrument can be used for even longer periods. Dialysis was satisfactory in 8 out of 10 cases. No infection or thrombosis of the catheter was observed. The catheter was not perfused between haemodialysis sessions or blood exchanges.
