Neonatal vascular access

Abstract

Advances in the medical and surgical management of neonates are often predicated upon secure vascular access. Requirement for vascular access may be for physiological monitoring (arterial or central venous pressure), direct treatment (antibiotics, chemotherapy), supportive therapy (nutrition, transfusion, dialysis, ECMO), diagnostic radiological, and procedural purposes (drainage of CSF or chyle, minimally invasive cardiac interventions). It is important for the surgeon to have a broad working knowledge of this field, as, given the multidisciplinary nature of modern neonatal intensive care, the options for and scope of vascular access are expanding alongside the number of subspecialties with interests and relevant skills in this area.