A Broken J-Guide Wire during Central Venous Catheterization : A case report

ABSTRACT

J-guide wires have been widely used for central venous catheterization with the popularity of the Seldinger technique. However, many adverse sequelae of central venous catheterization have been reported. We report two cases of J-guide wire breakage during central venous catheterization. Venipuncture by a steel needle was easily achieved in each case. However, insertion of a J-guide wire was difficult to perform, and pulling out the guide wire from the steel needle was more difficult, which caused breakage of the core and the uncoiling of the spring coil of the guide wire. The tip of the guide wire was not cut off, and there were no complications. With the removal of the guide wire, weak resistance was felt that which was not supposed to be sufficient to cut off the guide wire. It was assumed that an inherent fault in the manufacturing process of the guide wire could lead to this type of breakage.