Broken Umbilical Vein Canula- A Rare Unavoidable Complication

Back ground: Sick neonate requires many procedures in neonatal intensive care unit for the survival. Umbilical vascular catheterization is one such procedure. This procedure though easy and safe, it is not without complications. If not detected in time it may cause morbidity and mortality.Characteristics: A term (40 weeks) male baby on ventilator for meconium aspiration syndrome was catheterized with umbilical venous and arterial canula for fluid management. After stabilization the canulae were about to be removed. While retrieving umbilical venous canula, a distal part of it got fractured and stayed deep within the umbilical vein. X ray abdomen demonstrated the broken canula in inferior vena cava below the liver margin.Message: Utmost care should be taken while retrieving umbilcal canulae. Early retrieval of broken canula with the help of pediatric surgeon saves baby