{"id":52241,"date":"2025-09-25T14:43:15","date_gmt":"2025-09-25T13:43:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/campusvygon.com\/uk\/?p=52241"},"modified":"2025-09-25T16:01:41","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T15:01:41","slug":"why-apply-the-seldinger-technique-with-the-midline-and-the-modified-seldinger-with-the-picc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/campusvygon.com\/uk\/vascular-access\/why-apply-the-seldinger-technique-with-the-midline-and-the-modified-seldinger-with-the-picc\/","title":{"rendered":"Why apply the Seldinger technique with the Midline and the Modified Seldinger with the PICC?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Vascular access is crucial in nursing practice. The choice of the appropriate venous access device, such as the Midline or the PICC, and the insertion technique, whether the classic Seldinger technique or the Modified Seldinger, can significantly influence the preservation of venous capital and the effectiveness of treatment. This article explores the differences and similarities between both techniques and their application in Midline and PICC devices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Here is a one minute overview of this article:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Venous Access Devices:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Midline: Shorter catheter (8\u201320 cm), does not reach central circulation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>PICC: Longer and thinner catheter, designed to reach central circulation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Benefits of the Classic Seldinger Technique:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Simplicity and lower cost.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ideal for Midline catheters in superficial veins with good calibre.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Less invasive, suitable for patients with coagulation problems or low platelets.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Modified Seldinger Technique:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Greater control and adaptability.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ideal for PICC catheters in deep and small calibre veins, such as in obese patients.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Facilitates tunnelling and allows safer, more controlled access.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Comparison of techniques<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Classic Seldinger: Longer guidewire, dilation with removable dilator, catheter inserted through the guidewire.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Modified Seldinger: Guidewire &lt; 50 cm, dual-piece introduction (introducer and dilator), removal of guidewire and dilator, catheter inserted through peelable introducer.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Common points: Ultrasound-guided insertion, 21G fine needle, flexible kink-resistant guidewire (nitinol).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Midline:<\/strong>\u00a0Classic Seldinger for its simplicity, speed, and suitability to the catheter type.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>PICC:<\/strong>\u00a0Modified Seldinger for being safer, more precise, and less traumatic when inserting a longer and more delicate catheter.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Considering Vascular Access: Classic Seldinger Technique vs. Modified Seldinger Technique<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Vascular access is of utmost importance in daily nursing practice, as at some point in life, most people have had a device inserted or a blood test performed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Choosing one venous access device over another helps preserve veins, keeping them intact and usable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are different venous access devices to access suitable veins for PICC and Midline insertion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Both devices are inserted using sterile ultrasound guidance with either the direct Seldinger or Modified Seldinger technique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If we look for the origin of the Seldinger technique, we find it in the 1950s when a young radiologist,&nbsp;<strong>Sven-Ivar Seldinger<\/strong>, faced with&nbsp;<strong>arterial cannulation difficulties<\/strong>&nbsp;for diagnostic purposes, had the brilliant idea of using a wire after needle puncture to guide the catheter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br><em>\u201cI was struggling with the problem of developing a&nbsp;<strong>better catheterisation method<\/strong>&nbsp;with three objects in my hand:&nbsp;<strong>a needle, a wire, and a catheter<\/strong>, and in a fraction of a second&nbsp;<strong>I realised in what sequence I should use them<\/strong>.&nbsp;<strong>Insert the needle, place the wire inside, remove the needle, advance the catheter over the wire and remove the wire<\/strong>.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This technique evolved into the current classic method, with the wire becoming a hydrophilic nitinol guidewire used for puncture, a 21G needle, and a dilator to ease catheter passage into the vein. It\u2019s also used in pleural and pericardial drains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The&nbsp;<strong>Seldinger Technique<\/strong>&nbsp;evolved over the years. Initially, a cannula was used to introduce the catheter. This led to the&nbsp;<strong>Modified Seldinger technique<\/strong>, which uses an&nbsp;<strong>introducer<\/strong>&nbsp;to guide the catheter correctly into the punctured vein and then insert it,&nbsp;<strong>with or without a stylet<\/strong>&nbsp;(most PICCs have a stylet to aid progression by adding rigidity). This introducer (often called a micro-introducer) contains a&nbsp;<strong>dilator<\/strong>&nbsp;that is removed to allow catheter insertion. The introducer is&nbsp;<strong>peelable<\/strong>&nbsp;and can be&nbsp;<strong>removed at the end<\/strong>&nbsp;of the procedure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Comparing Techniques<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Classic Seldinger:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Longer guidewire.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dilation with removable dilator.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Catheter inserted through guidewire, which is removed after insertion.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Modified Seldinger:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Guidewire &lt; 50 cm.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dual-piece introduction (introducer and dilator).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Guidewire and dilator removed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Catheter inserted through introducer.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Introducer peeled after catheter insertion.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Common Points:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Ultrasound-guided insertion.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>21G fine needle.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Flexible kink-resistant guidewire (nitinol).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Classic Seldinger Technique<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Based on this, we can say the&nbsp;<strong>Classic Seldinger<\/strong>, with its finer dilation, is&nbsp;<strong>less invasive<\/strong>, and most of the time&nbsp;<strong>does not require a scalpel<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Using the Classic Seldinger Technique for Midline Insertion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Thus, the&nbsp;<strong>Classic Seldinger Technique<\/strong>&nbsp;is known for its&nbsp;<strong>simplicity and lower cost<\/strong>, being a&nbsp;<strong>simpler and more economical option<\/strong>, especially&nbsp;<strong>effective for Midline<\/strong>. It is also&nbsp;<strong>less invasive<\/strong>, as it&nbsp;<strong>does not require an incision for dilator insertion<\/strong>, making it&nbsp;<strong>ideal for patients with coagulation issues or low platelets<\/strong>. It is notably effective in superficial veins, especially in patients with good calibre and superficial veins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The&nbsp;<strong>guidewire<\/strong>&nbsp;needed must be&nbsp;<strong>longer than the catheter<\/strong>, the&nbsp;<strong>dilator<\/strong>&nbsp;used is&nbsp;<strong>shorter than the micro-introducer<\/strong>, which makes it suitable for the Midline and more superficial veins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Using the Classic Seldinger Technique for PICC Insertion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A&nbsp;<strong>PICC is a longer catheter<\/strong> and to <strong>reach the vena cava a guidewire of about 90 cm is needed<\/strong>. Being longer, there may be problems maintaining sterility, making manipulation more complicated. In this case,&nbsp;<strong>manipulation is easier thanks to micropuncture<\/strong>, which is also&nbsp;<strong>longer and allows access to deeper veins.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To&nbsp;<strong>verify catheter tip location<\/strong>, intracavitary ECG is used, making it easier to insert the catheter through the introducer and connect the saline column.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The&nbsp;<strong>Classic Seldinger Technique<\/strong>&nbsp;is characterised by its&nbsp;<strong>simplicity and lower cost<\/strong>, being a&nbsp;<strong>simpler and more economical option<\/strong>, especially&nbsp;<strong>effective in the Midline<\/strong>. It is also&nbsp;<strong>less invasive<\/strong>, as it&nbsp;<strong>does not require an incision for dilator insertion<\/strong>, making it&nbsp;<strong>ideal for patients with coagulation problems or low platelets<\/strong>. Its effectiveness in superficial veins is notable, being more&nbsp;<strong>effective in patients with good calibre and superficial veins.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Modified Seldinger Technique<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The&nbsp;<strong>Modified Seldinger Technique offers greater control<\/strong>&nbsp;and adaptability during the procedure. It is suitable for&nbsp;<strong>deep veins<\/strong>, being&nbsp;<strong>ideal for small calibre and deeper veins<\/strong>, such as in&nbsp;<strong>obese patients<\/strong>. It also facilitates&nbsp;<strong>tunnelling<\/strong>, as the peelable dilator allows&nbsp;<strong>more efficient direct and indirect tunnelling<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Using the Modified Seldinger Technique for Midline Insertion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The&nbsp;<strong>Midline<\/strong>&nbsp;is a&nbsp;<strong>shorter catheter<\/strong>&nbsp;(generally 8\u201320 cm) that does not reach central circulation. It requires&nbsp;<strong>less manipulation<\/strong>&nbsp;and usually does not need a peelable introducer. Its insertion is a&nbsp;<strong>simpler and quicker procedure<\/strong>, with less need for additional devices. In addition, the insertion procedure suits the Midline catheter structure well, which is generally&nbsp;<strong>more flexible and does not require large dilators<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Using the Modified Seldinger Technique for PICC Insertion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>On the other hand, we have the&nbsp;<strong>PICC<\/strong>, which is a&nbsp;<strong>longer and thinner catheter<\/strong>, designed to reach central circulation. The&nbsp;<strong>modified technique<\/strong>&nbsp;allows&nbsp;<strong>safer and more controlled access<\/strong>, especially in smaller veins. Its&nbsp;<strong>peelable introducer<\/strong>&nbsp;<strong>prevents catheter damage<\/strong>&nbsp;and allows a cleaner skin seal. It also improves&nbsp;<strong>stability<\/strong>&nbsp;and control during insertion of longer and more fragile catheters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The&nbsp;<strong>Classic Seldinger Technique is characterised by its simplicity and lower cost<\/strong>, being a&nbsp;<strong>simpler and more economical option<\/strong>, especially effective in the Midline. It is also&nbsp;<strong>less invasive<\/strong>, as it&nbsp;<strong>does not require an incision for dilator insertion<\/strong>, making it ideal for patients with coagulation problems or low platelets. Its effectiveness in superficial veins is notable, being more&nbsp;<strong>effective in patients with good calibre and superficial veins.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On the other hand, the&nbsp;<strong>Modified Seldinger Technique offers greater control<\/strong>&nbsp;and adaptability during the procedure. It is suitable for&nbsp;<strong>deep veins<\/strong>, being ideal for&nbsp;<strong>small calibre and deeper veins<\/strong>, such as in&nbsp;<strong>obese patients<\/strong>. It also facilitates&nbsp;<strong>tunnelling<\/strong>, as the peelable dilator allows&nbsp;<strong>more efficient direct and indirect tunnelling<\/strong>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Vascular access is crucial in nursing practice. The choice of the appropriate venous access device, such as the Midline or the PICC, and the insertion technique, whether the classic Seldinger technique or the Modified Seldinger, can significantly influence the preservation of venous capital and the effectiveness of treatment. This article explores the differences and similarities [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":141,"featured_media":52242,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[64,47],"class_list":["post-52241","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-vascular-access","tag-midlines","tag-picc-fr"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/campusvygon.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52241","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/campusvygon.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/campusvygon.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/campusvygon.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/141"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/campusvygon.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=52241"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/campusvygon.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52241\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":52246,"href":"https:\/\/campusvygon.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52241\/revisions\/52246"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/campusvygon.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/52242"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/campusvygon.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=52241"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/campusvygon.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=52241"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/campusvygon.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=52241"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}