Transcutaneous removal of an intravenous catheter fragment using a spider FX™ Embolic Protection device

Long‐term use of intravenous catheters can lead to catheter fracture and embolization of fragments. Transcutaneous retrieval of these catheter fragments can be challenging because of their fragility. We report an 8‐year‐old boy with Hemophilia disease who underwent removal of intravenous Port catheter after 7 years of use, resulting in embolization of fractured catheter fragments into the distal pulmonary arteries. The snare technique to pull the snared fragment into a sheath was unsuccessful, and it leads to further breakdown due to its fragility. An alternative technique using a combination of a snare kit and a Spider FX? Embolic Protection Device was employed. This technique allowed the fragments to be secured proximally with the basket device and distally with the snare. The unit was then pulled through a sheath and removed from the body. To our knowledge, Spider FX? Device has not been used in this way before. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.