Hickman Line

Breast Care Nurse service

Chemotherapy

Hickman Line

PICC line

Portacath

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A Hickman Line
A hickman line is a soft plastic tube that is tunneled beneath the skin and placed in a large vein.
The catheter can be used to give fluids and drugs. It can also be used for taking blood samples. The benefits of having the catheter are that it will save you from having repeated needle pricks during your treatment.
You will have a double or triple lumen catheter. Each lumen will have a clamp in place, which is used to close the catheter when it is not in use.
How is the Hickman Line inserted?
Your hickman line will be inserted using a local or general anaesthetic.
During the procedure you will have two cuts made in your chest, one to tunnel the catheter and the other near the collarbone. To insert it into your vein you will have two stitches. Usually the top stitch will be removed around 7-10 days post insertion and the bottom stitch is kept in place for 2-3 weeks.
Your catheter will need to be flushed once a week and the site will require daily cleansing.
Many patients prefer to put their line into a little purse around their neck to stop it from pulling.