[Prospective, randomized and controlled trial on the dwell time of peripheral intravenous catheters in children, according to three dressing regimens].

This prospective, randomized and controlled study verified the influence of three dressing regimens on the dwell time of peripheral intravenous catheters (PIC) in children. The study groups were composed of dressings with sterile gauze (EG 1), with sterile transparent film (EG 2) and with hypoallergenic adhesive tape (CG). Variables were selected to control for variables related to children, professionals and intravenous therapy characteristics. The 150 PIC that composed the sample were inserted in 68 children, predominantly of preschool age, male, with brown skin color, eutrophic and with gastrointestinal system diseases. The majority of the PIC was installed by nursing auxiliaries in veins of the dorsal arch of the hand. The type of dressing exerted a significant influence (p = 0.022) on the average dwell time of the studied PIC: EG 1 (46.12 hours), EG 2 (29.53 hours) and CG (38.18 hours), concluding that the dressing with sterile gauze maintained the catheter inserted for a longer time.