Removal of an Umbilical Catheter Migrated into the Neck in a Neonate: Report of Case

Umbilical and supraumbilical catheter insertion is a common procedure performed in the NICU. It is a safe and usually easy procedure devoid of serious mishaps, morbidity and mortality. Complications such as hemorrhage, infection, hernia, evisceration, omphalitis, portal vein thrombosis and portal hypertension may occur after umbilical catheter insertion. Other uncommon and rare complications reported in the literature includes: Hepatic laceration, pleural effusion, necrosis of the buttock, severe ischemic injury of the extremities, gastric outlet obstruction, cardiac tamponade, pericardial effusion, atrial flutter, liver abscess, neonatal bladder rupture and intrahepatic hematoma. In this article we present a case of catheter migration in a preterm infant into the neck removed successfully via jugular venotomy.