Effect of Splinting Versus Not Splinting Limb Joints on Functional Longevity of Peripheral Intravenous Cannulae: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Neha Tewari, Samantha Castellino, Sonal Shivajirao Saste, Nandkishor Shrikishanji Kabra, Bhupendra Suryanarayan Avasthi, Shobha Rajesh Sharma, Neil Castellino
Abstract
Aim: To evaluate the effect of joint immobilization by splint application on the functional longevity of peripheral intravenous (PIV) cannulae in newborns
Materials and Methods: This was a single-center, randomized controlled trial performed in a level 3 NICU of a tertiary care teaching hospital. Participants were all term and preterm newborns (born at > 28 wk of gestation), admitted during the study period in the NICU, and anticipated to require a PIV cannula for intravenous (IV) infusion for at least 48 hours. The primary outcome measure was functional longevity of the PIV cannula; it was measured as the interval from time of insertion to the development of predefined signs of removal (extravasations, blockage, and inflammation).
Results: Forty-two newborns were enrolled into the study, and 62 PIV cannulations were performed on them (some newborns had more than one PIV cannulation). The PIV cannula was inserted with limb splinting in some newborns and without limb splinting in others. Baseline characteristics of the 2 study groups (SPLINT and NO SPLINT) were similar. The mean functional longevity of PIV cannulae was slightly shorter in duration in the SPLINT group; however, it was not statistically significant. The functional longevity of PIV cannulae in the SPLINT group was 33.94 ± 11.87 hours, and in the NO SPLINT group, it was 39.33 ± 16.34 hours (P = .14). The reasons for removal of the PIV cannulae were similar in both the groups.
Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that the application of splint to immobilize the joint while using a PIV cannula does not prolong the functional longevity of the PIV cannula.
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