How to Care for Your Child at Home After a Central Venous Line Removal

Dressing

Your child will have a white gauze dressing(s) covered by a clear plastic (Tegaderm®).

• Remove this dressing after 2 days. If dressing becomes stained with blood after you have been discharged home, please apply pressure to the site using a new Bandaid and call your surgeon’s office.
• Beneath the gauze dressing(s) are small white bandages (Steri-strips®). These will usually fall off in 1 to 3 weeks. The dressings may get wet during bathing.

Stitches

Stitches hold the incision together. Your child will have stitches that are under the skin and do not need to be removed. The body will absorb them.

Bath

• Keep the dressing dry for 2 days. Sponge bathing and showering are okay.
• For older children, you may remove the dressing 2 days after the procedure, and your child may shower normally unless the doctor has given you other instructions.
• For younger children who do not shower, remove the dressing after 3 days. Then you may resume tub baths.
• Your child may swim 3 days after the central venous line was removed.

Activity

Your child had general anesthesia.

Today:

• Your child should rest quietly for the next 24 hours or have quiet supervised play.
• Your child may be unsteady on his/her feet.
• Naps may be off schedule today. They may be longer or shorter than usual.

After today:

• Your child’s activity can be as it was before surgery unless restricted by your doctor.

Diet

• Your child may eat or drink as usual.
• If vomiting occurs, do not give your child anything to eat or drink for 2 hours. Then offer small amounts of clear liquids or half strength juice until your child does not vomit any more. Your child may then slowly start on their normal diet.

Pain

Your child may take Tylenol® (acetaminophen) or Motrin® (ibuprofen) for discomfort if the pain is mild.

Rev. 12/2019. Mass General for Children and Massachusetts General Hospital do not endorse any brand listed on this handout. This document is intended to provide health related information so that you may be better informed. It is not a substitute for a doctor's medical advice and should not be relied upon for treatment for specific medical conditions.