Why is this procedure done?
A peripherally-inserted central catheter is often called a PICC. It is a long, thin, flexible intravenous (IV) line or catheter. The catheter is placed into a small vein in your upper arm. It is moved forward until it is in a larger vein near your heart. Your PICC may be taken out because it is: ‚
- No longer needed
- Blocked
- Broken
- Infected
What will the results be?
Your PICC line will be taken out safely and carefully. ‚
What happens before the procedure?
- Your nurse or doctor will check to see the length of your PICC line before it was placed in your arm.
- Be sure to tell your nurse or doctor about any bleeding problems you may have.
What happens during the procedure?
- The PICC is taken out by specially-trained doctors or nurses. This may be done in your hospital room, treatment area, or at home. You will be awake for this procedure. The staff will explain the process to you.
- You will lay flat with your arm on a table or pillow.
- The staff will wash their hands and put on gloves. This helps to prevent an infection.
- The dressing is taken off and any stitches are removed.
- The staff may ask you to hold your breath as the PICC is pulled out about 1 inch (2.5 cm). The staff member will then hold the PICC line close to the insertion site and pull it out about another inch (2.5 cm). This process continues until the whole line is taken out.
- The site will be checked for redness, drainage, or swelling.
- The staff may send the tip of the PICC for tests to see if there is an infection.
- The staff will check the length of your PICC line and compare it to the length of the line that was placed. This makes sure all of the line was removed.
- You will have a special bandage over the place where your PICC was.
- Follow the staff instructions for when to remove the dressing.
- The procedure will take 10 to 15 minutes.
- The staff will observe you for a while before you leave.
What happens after the procedure?
- Do not do strenuous arm movement for 24 to 48 hours after having a PICC removed.
- You may be able to go home after the procedure. If you are already in the hospital for other reasons, taking out the PICC will not make your stay in the hospital longer.
- Keep the dressing clean and dry for 48 hours or as instructed by staff. After at least 48 hours you may take off the dressing. Wash the site with soap and water. Apply a bandage until the wound looks healed.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Fight or prevent infection
- Treat inflammation
What problems could happen?
- Sometimes there is resistance when the PICC line is being taken out. The staff may place a warm pack on your arm to ease this resistance. If your PICC continues to have resistance, the PICC will be taped in place and your doctor will be notified. You may need to go to the hospital or a radiology department to have x-rays or ultrasound of your PICC.
- Redness, swelling, pain, or drainage from the PICC site. This might mean the site is infected.
- Pain up or down your arm where the PICC is. This is a sign that the vein is sore or irritated.
- The PICC may have been infected on the inside of your body. If this happens, you might need a new drug.
- Swelling and pain in the arm where the PICC was put in. This might mean there is a blood clot in your arm.
- Bleeding that wont stop from where the PICC was put in.
- The PICC breaks when being taken out.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- The swelling in your arm where the PICC was becomes bigger
- You develop a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher
- Your PICC site starts bleeding and does not stop with gentle pressure
- Your PICC site becomes more red
- Drainage or pus from the PICC site increases
- You have trouble breathing
Where can I learn more?
MacMillan ‚
http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Cancerinformation/Cancertreatment/Treatmenttypes/Chemotherapy/Linesports/PICCline.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚