how is it given?

central line

A central line is a thin flexible tube that goes through the skin of your chest into a vein near your heart. Examples of some of the makes are Hickman® and Groshong® lines. The end of the line hangs out onto your chest. Clothes will cover it, but if you wear tight ones it  will be noticeable and might not be very comfortable.

The line is placed in your vein either under a general anaesthetic which makes you unconscious, or a local anaesthetic when you are awake, but a bit drowsy and don’t feel anything.

To keep it in place, the central line is either stitched or taped firmly to your chest. It can stay in for many months and means you don’t have to have injections when you are given drugs or having blood taken for testing.

do I have to do anything to it?

The nurses will show you how to take care of your central line. It might feel pretty complicated at first but most people get used to it quite quickly. 

You can have a bath or shower, but you need to keep the area where the tube goes into the skin dry. You’ll be given some plastic dressings to use for this. It is also important to make sure that the line is not cut or broken. If this does happen then you need to clamp it above where the cut is and let your doctor know.

potential problems:

  • Blockage - central lines can get blocked. To prevent this the line has to be ‘flushed’ once or twice a week with a drug called heparin or with salt water called saline. The nurses can teach you or your parents to do this or a district nurse might be able to come to your home and do it for you.
  • Infection - another possible problem is infection. If you notice any reddening, darkening or soreness of the skin around the central line or if you have a high temperature - usually above 38° - let your doctor know. Infection can be treated with antibiotics.
  • Air - it is important not to let any air get into the line so you need to make sure that the line is clamped when it isn’t being used.

taking the line out

Once you have finished treatment and you no longer need the line, it will be removed. Because the line has been in for while many people are very worried about having the line removed. To help with this you can either have some medication, a sedative, to help you relax or you may want to have it removed under a general anaesthetic. Taking the line out doesn't take very long so you won't be under the anaesthetic for long.

The skin around the line is cleaned and then gently but firmly the line is pulled out. A dressing is put over the place where the line was. You will need to stay lying down until any bleeding has stopped. But will be able to go once you have recovered.


Last reviewed: 30/07/2007