Temporary hemodialysis (HD) catheter is required mostly in acute and chronic renal
failure and other cases. HD catheter is not free of complications. Thus, the aim of this study is to
assess the common complications occur during HD-catheter insertion and during the first 30-days
of insertion. Methods: two hundred-ten patients had temporary HD catheter been inserted in
Central Hospital (Tripoli) and in near other private clinics. Patients had questionnaire that prepared
about the complications. They were divided into three groups according to the site of HD catheter
insertion at presentation. The complications detected by patients and/or following up doctors
reported in the same questionnaire. Data was collected at the end of 30 days after HD-catheter
insertion and analyzed for demographic patients feature, and the complications reported at
insertion and during the first 30 days. Results: Randomly allocated patients as they were presented.
Group A: 95 patients had catheter at the jugular veins. Group B: 73 patients had femoral vein
canalization and group C: 42 patients had subclavian vein catheterization. Pain at the site of
insertion and during the first 12 hours was common complications (72.9%) and pain around the
insertion site reported by 48.6% patients. Infection at the site of insertion reported in 38.6% of
patients. Femoral vein catheterization entrance site infection was reported in 55.6%, at subclavian
in 18.5% and at jugular veins in 25.9% patients. Catheter tunnel infection was reported in 5.2%
patients. Catheter tunnel infection was more with femoral catheter. Arterial or venous HD catheter
lumen blockage reported in 21.9%. Two lumens blockage reported in 61 29% patients. Bleeding
from the entrance site of the catheter reported during HD sessions reported in 4.8% patients.
Hematoma at insertion site or around it was reported in 24.8% patients. It was more after femoral
vein catheterization (53.8%) followed by jugular (34.6%) then subclavian catheterization (11.5%)
patients. In conclusion, pain and infection at the insertion site were the commonest complications
of HD catheter insertion. Reducing rate of these complications depends mainly upon implanting
strict septic techniques, and train doctors and nurses about HD insertion complications and care.
Keywords: Hemodialysis catheter, double lumen catheter blockage, catheter infection, septicemia,
Libya.

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