About PICC Line Repair
Key Highlights
-
Minimally invasive procedure that preserves the existing vascular access site.Prevents delays in critical treatments like chemotherapy or antibiotics.Reduces the need for a completely new, more invasive PICC line insertion.Typically performed under local anesthesia, minimizing patient discomfort.Helps avoid potential complications from a damaged or leaking catheter, such as infection or medication extravasation.
Who is this surgery for?
- Visible crack, tear, or leak in the external portion of the PICC line catheter.
- Damage to the external hub or connector (e.g., broken clamp, cracked needleless connector).
- Inability to flush the line or draw blood back, suggesting an internal occlusion or damage.
- Persistent signs of line malfunction despite troubleshooting (e.g., persistent sluggish flow).
- When removing and replacing the entire PICC line poses a higher risk or is not immediately feasible.
How to prepare
- Review of the patient's medical history and the reason for PICC line placement.
- Assessment of the damage through visual inspection and possibly a contrast study (linogram).
- Discussion of the procedure, benefits, and potential risks to obtain informed consent.
- No specific fasting is usually required as it's often done under local anesthesia.
- The skin around the PICC line insertion site is cleaned and prepped with an antiseptic solution.
- The patient is positioned comfortably, often lying flat with the arm extended.
Risks & possible complications
- Infection at the repair site or within the bloodstream (sepsis).
- Bleeding or hematoma formation at the catheter site.
- Damage to the catheter during the repair attempt, necessitating full removal.
- Catheter embolism if a fragment breaks off internally (rare with proper technique).
- Failure of the repair, leading to persistent malfunction and the need for line replacement.
- Allergic reaction to local anesthetic or materials used in the repair kit.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Immediate post-procedure, the repaired site is covered with a sterile dressing.
- The line's function is tested by flushing with saline to ensure patency.
- Patients can usually resume normal activities almost immediately, avoiding strenuous use of the arm for 24-48 hours.
- Caregivers are instructed on how to monitor the site for signs of infection (redness, swelling, pain, discharge) or recurrent leakage.
- Specific care instructions for the dressing and hub are provided to maintain sterility.
- A follow-up may be scheduled to confirm the repair's integrity and the line's continued proper function.
-
Typical hospital stay: 0 days (typically outpatient)
-
Expected recovery time: Immediate to 1-2 days
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering picc line repair in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for picc line repair in India include Miot Hospital Chennai, Cytecare Hospital, Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa, Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform picc line repair. MediFyr helps you compare oncologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for picc line repair compare across other countries where we have data.
Top hospitals for PICC Line Repair in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated oncologist teams and experience managing patients undergoing picc line repair.
Vivaan Reddy, a 58-year-old former architect,...
Vivaan Reddy, a 58-year-old former architect, is undergoing intensive chemotherapy for stage III colon cancer. His PICC line, essential for his bi-weekly treatments and hydration, developed a small crack near the hub after he accidentally snagged it on a cabinet door. He noticed a tiny leak of saline during a home flush. Vivaan, already fatigued from treatment, felt a surge of panic, fearing infection or a delay in his life-saving therapy. His oncologist, Dr. Sharma, recommended an immediate PICC line repair in the outpatient clinic to avoid removing and reinserting the line, which would be another invasive procedure. During the quick, sterile repair, Vivaan was anxious but relieved it was not painful. The nurse carefully applied the repair kit, securing the line. Post-procedure, the line was fully functional again, and a confirmation X-ray showed perfect placement. Vivaan felt a profound sense of relief. His emotional journey shifted from fear of a major setback to gratitude for a simple, effective fix that allowed him to stay on track with his treatment without further trauma.
Oncologists for PICC Line Repair
Explore experienced oncologists who regularly perform picc line repair and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 10 Years Experience
- Surgical Oncologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 4 Years Experience
- Medical Oncologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 25 Years Experience
- Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 19 Years Experience
- Surgical Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 11 Years Experience
- Surgical Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 9 Years Experience
- Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 16 Years Experience
- Surgical Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 11 Years Experience
- Surgical Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 11 Years Experience
- Surgical Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 10 Years Experience
- Surgical Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 15 Years Experience
- Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 21 Years Experience
- Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 33 Years Experience
- Surgical Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 27 Years Experience
- Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 30 Years Experience
- Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 10 Years Experience
- Surgical Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Mysore, Mysore
- 12 Years Experience
- Surgical Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Mysore, Mysore
- 23 Years Experience
- Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Vijayawada, vijayawada
- 19 Years Experience
- Surgical Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Vijayawada, vijayawada
- 17 Years Experience
- Surgical Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Vijayawada, vijayawada