Fracture of j-tipped guidewire during central venous catheterization and its successful removal under fluoroscopic guidance: A case report

Abstract

Central venous catheterization by Seldinger's technique uses a guidewire which may cause complications such as kinking, knotting and fracture. Fractured guidewire may lead to severe outcomes such as embolization, and removal of it may also cause problems such as vessel damage. We experienced a case of right internal jugular venous catheterization complicated by guidewire fracture entrapped in the central venous catheter, and its successful removal under fluoroscopic guidance using snare-loop. The patient recovered without any complications. When resistance is felt during insertion or withdrawal of the guidewire, force should not be applied to the guidewire and care should also be exercised when passing the tissue dilator over the guidewire. Clinicians should be aware of this rare complication and snare-loop technique could be considered as one of the methods for removal of the fractured guidewire. © the Korean Society of Anesthesiologists, 2012.