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An in vitro study of silicone migration from intravenous fluid tubing

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Abstract

Migration of particulate matter from plastic tubing and solid plastic implants has been documented in a number of studies, including some with the use of cardiac bypass, haemodialysis, and pump-assisted intravenous infusions. In order to ascertain whether silicone embolisation occurs when children have an Ivac 560 pump-assisted IV infusion, we passed 180 ml of pumped fluid through a microfilter and compared the scanning electron micrographs of those filters with unused filters and with others through which a similar volume had been passed without using the pump. The particles on the filters were analysed for their elemental content using energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. In addition, the appearance of the silicone tubing used in the pump over 3 and 72 h was assessed and compared to that of flow-only and unused tubing. More particles were found on the microfilter when fluid had been delivered via the pump than on those through which nonpumped fluid had passed or that were unused. Elemental silicon-containing particles were only found on the filter when a pump had been attached to the IV line. The flow-only and unused tubing were found to have adherent particles on the inner surface that were not seen once the tubing had been used for 3 h in the Ivac 560 pump. Also, after 72 h use, the silicone tubing had a deformed inner layer. The clinical significance of these findings is yet to be determined, but it does appear that silicone embolisation occurs during pump-assisted infusions in children.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Urology Unit, Women's and Children's Hospital, and Departments of Surgery and Paediatrics, University of Adelaide Women's and Children's Hospital, 5006, North Adelaide, South Australia

    P. A. Dewan

  2. Urology Unit, Women's and Children's Hospital, University of Adelaide, South Australia

    A. J. Owen & P. J. Ashwood

  3. The Centre for Electron Microscopy and Microstructure Analysis, University of Adelaide, South Australia

    J. Terlet

  4. Department of Paediatrics, University of Adelaide, South Australia

    R. W. Byard

Authors
  1. P. A. Dewan
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  2. A. J. Owen
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  3. P. J. Ashwood
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  4. J. Terlet
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  5. R. W. Byard
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Dewan, P.A., Owen, A.J., Ashwood, P.J. et al. An in vitro study of silicone migration from intravenous fluid tubing. Pediatr Surg Int 12, 49–53 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01194802

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01194802

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