Groshong catheter

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Groshong® catheters are a type of central venous catheter, which are placed under direct fluoroscopic visualization in an angiography suite. They can be tunnelled or non-tunnelled and are similar to a Hickman catheter, with the main difference being that Groshong catheters have a three-way valve at its tip.

Indications

Groshong® catheters are indicated when long-term IV therapy is needed such as in the following conditions:

  • chemotherapy 
  • hydration 
  • pain management 
  • total parenteral nutrition 

Procedure

The distal tip is usually placed in the superior vena cava or the right atrium via the internal or external jugular vein or the subclavian vein. The catheter is usually tunneled under the skin through an incision on the chest wall where it exits the body.

Complications

A Groshong® catheter placement carries the risk of infection, bleeding, catheter rupture and thrombus formation.

History and etymology

These catheters were invented by LeRoy E. Groshong, MD, a US-based surgical oncologist.