Effect of Cannula Size on Functional Longevity of Peripheral Intravenous Access in Newborns: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Nilesh Gourshettiwar, Haribalakrishna Balasubramanian, Nandkishor Shrikishanji Kabra, Javed Ahmed, Bhupendra Suryanarayan Avasthi, Shobha Rajesh Sharma, Neil Castellino
Abstract
Aim: To determine the effect of large-sized peripheral intravenous (IV) cannulae on the functional longevity of IV access in newborns
Materials and Methods: Preterm and term newborns (N = 202) admitted to a tertiary care NICU requiring peripheral vascular access were enrolled in the study. Of the 202 newborns, 102 were randomized to the 24G IV cannula group and 100 were randomized to the 22G IV cannula group. Each newborn received the intervention allotted to the group he/she was randomized to.
The functional longevity of the IV cannulae was measured from the time of insertion to the time of removal of the IV line. The reasons for IV cannula removal were extravasations, blockage, leakage of the IV line, or that the IV cannula was no longer required.
Results: Both the groups were comparable for baseline characteristics of birth weight and gestational age. The mean functional longevity of the 22G cannula was 74.71 ± 48.01 hours, which was significantly longer than that of the 24G cannula (58.54 ± 30.53 h; P = .005). Extravasation at cannula site was the most common cause of cannula removal in both the groups, and it occurred more frequently in the 24G group (in 61 of the 102 newborns in the group; 59.8%) than in the 22G group (in 44 of the 100 newborns in the group; 44%; P = .034).
Conclusions: The cannulae with a larger bore (22G) are associated with a longer functional longevity of peripheral IV line patency, with fewer extravasations in newborns.
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