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Biofilms and long-term use of totally implantable central venous devices

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Abstract

The long-term use of totally implantable central venous catheters has led to new problems of infection. The formation of bacterial biofilms appears to be an important factor in the development of infection as well as occlusion of the devices. In each of 18 children the entire catheter system was examined prospectively after removal. A biofilm was seen on the inner surface of every catheter. In 10 cases bacteria could be cultured. The predominant species were coagulase-negative staphylococci.

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Author notes

  1. Rudolf Leuthardt

    Present address: Kantonsspital Bruderholz, CH-4101, Bruderholz, Switzerland

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ostschweizerisches Kinderspital St. Gallen, Kinderchirurgische und Pädiatrische Klinik, Claudiusstrasse 6, CH-9006, St. Gallen, Switzerland

    Rudolf Leuthardt

  2. REM-Labor des geologisch-paläontologischen Institutes der Universität Basel, Bernoullistrasse 32, CH-4056, Basel, Switzerland, Switzerland

    Andreas Feldges, Richard Guggenheim & Thomas Giger

  3. Institut für klinische Mikrobiologie und Immunologie, Frohbergstrasse 3, CH-9000, St. Gallen, Switzerland

    Rudolf Leuthardt, Andreas Feldges, Richard Guggenheim & Thomas Giger

Authors
  1. Rudolf Leuthardt
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  2. Andreas Feldges
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  3. Richard Guggenheim
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  4. Thomas Giger
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Leuthardt, R., Feldges, A., Guggenheim, R. et al. Biofilms and long-term use of totally implantable central venous devices. Pediatr Surg Int 7, 199–201 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00175839

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00175839

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