Pulling out a broken catheter using interventional radiology in a preterm. Neonatal intensive care.

Abstract

There are different indications for the placement of a pleural drainage. It is indicated in a massive pneumothorax or a pleural effusion, and a tunnelled indwelling pleural catheter is put in place. As in any procedure, complications may occur. A broken catheter is a rare one, and when it occurs, it has to be removed by thoracoscopic surgery. This article describes the first case of a removal of a fractured pleural catheter in a preterm newborn with a bilateral pneumothorax using interventional radiology. We propose an alternative way less invasive that could enable a shorter recovery time with fewer complications.