The emergency FICC will be placed by ultrasound-guided puncture and cannulation of the common or superficial femoral vein (visualization on a short axis, 'out of plane' puncture) by simple Seldinger technique. Low-cost polyurethane catheters are used, of sufficient length to ensure that the catheter tip is actually in a central position (i.e. in the inferior vena cava). An approximate evaluation of this distance can be obtained by measuring the distance between the puncture site in the groin and the navel.
In infants and younger children the femoral vein can sometimes be very difficult to puncture due to its small size. This also limits the caliber of the catheter to be positioned. The number of lumens will be dictated by clinical needs.
Emergency FICC must be removed within 24-48 hours.