RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Physical characteristics of catheters used for subarachnoid drainage
JF Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery
JO J NeuroIntervent Surg
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.
SP 865
OP 867
DO 10.1136/neurintsurg-2015-011864
VO 8
IS 8
A1 A Ian Wong
A1 Shengqiang Gao
A1 Mark D Bain
A1 Brian Fitzsimons
A1 Ferdinand K Hui
YR 2016
UL http://jnis.bmj.com/content/8/8/865.abstract
AB Background Cerebrospinal fluid diversion through lumbar drainage catheters is a routine procedure that is used in a variety of clinical applications. Fracture of catheters during insertion or removal may result in retained foreign bodies that may lead to patient morbidity with potential legal ramifications. Fracture resistance is an important component of drain selection.Objective To analyze catheter integrity to determine which commercially available catheters are most robust and resistant to fracture.Methods Physical properties of the commercially available drainage catheters that can be advanced through a Touhy needle were assessed using laboratory equipment and reported. Five types of catheter were analyzed for break load, tensile strength, extension at break, and shear strength.Results and conclusions Of the five types of catheter, the Arrow catheter showed the greatest resistance to fracture. Of the drainage catheters, the Codman catheter showed the greatest resistance to fracture.