Central venous catheter/line

Your child already has or soon will have a line. Lines are also called central venous catheters. Via this line, we can administer fluids, blood, food, contrast fluid and medicines and draw blood.

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The advantage of a line is that it eliminates the need for your child to repeatedly have an intravenous catheter (IV) inserted. The line is placed under anesthesia and can remain in place for months. There are different types of lines: The doctor determines which line is best for treating your child.

A central venous catheter is a flexible line that is inserted into a large blood vessel that leads directly to the heart. A small portion of the line protrudes outside the skin. The line has a protective cap onto which an IV line or a syringe can be fastened.

There are various types of lines with one, two or three exit lines. The doctor determines which line is best for treating your child.

The pediatric surgeon inserts the line through an incision near the collarbone/in the neck. This procedure takes place under anesthesia in the operating room of the Wilhelmina Children's Hospital.

Should you need any further information, please feel free to ask.

Removing the line

Because your child no longer needs the line, it will be removed. This is done under sedation.
You will receive information about the sedation. The child life specialist prepares your child and explains what will happen. In most cases, your child can go home afterwards.

Caring for the wound

Your child will have small bandages on the neck. These will come off on their own after a few days. After the line is removed, keep the bandages dry for 24 hours.

Your child should not swim or take a bath for five days.

If you have any questions, you can always ask.