Putting in a Hickman line

A Hickman^® line is a long, thin and flexible plastic tube. It is a type of central line (tube into a central blood vessel of the chest). We use the line to give you medicines or take blood samples.

Before the procedure

Before the procedure to put in a Hickman line, you have a pre-assessment appointment. At this appointment, we make sure that you are well enough for the procedure.

We arrange for you to have some simple blood tests. The IR doctor needs to see a list of all your medicines. This includes any: 

• tablets
• inhalers
• creams
• medicines that you buy in a pharmacy or shop, such as herbal remedies

Please bring a copy of your current prescription to your pre-assessment appointment.

Some medicines need to be stopped before your procedure. The IR doctor or nurse explains if you should stop any medicines. You can start taking these medicines again after the procedure, but the IR doctor or nurse will give you advice about this.

If you need a hoist (piece of medical equipment to help lift or move you safely), transport or a translator, please contact the interventional radiology (IR) department.

On the day of the procedure

Here is some guidance about what to do on the day of your procedure to have a Hickman line inserted.

1 or 2 family members or friends can wait with you before and after the procedure. They cannot be with you during the procedure, but the IR doctors and nurses look after you at all times.

Giving your permission (consent)

We want to involve you in decisions about your care and treatment. If you decide to have a Hickman line, we will ask you to sign a consent form. This says that you understand what is involved and agree to have the treatment.

You can read more about our consent process.

During the procedure

An IR doctor puts in the Hickman line. This is a small (minor) surgical procedure, which takes place in the interventional radiology (IR) operating theatre.

You usually have a local anaesthetic medicine for the procedure. This means that you are awake, but we give you a medicine to make the area numb and free from pain. You should only feel the minimum amount of discomfort.

What happens during the procedure

You need to lie flat for about 30 to 40 minutes during the procedure.

At least 2 IR nurses, a radiographer and the IR doctor are with you at all times. They check that you are comfortable and safe.

When your skin is numb, the IR doctor makes 2 small (4mm) cuts:

• The first cut is on the chest wall where the Hickman line comes out of the body.
• The second cut is in the neck or around the collarbone where the line goes into a large vein.

The IR doctor closes the second cut with a single stitch.

We do the procedure using:

• a small ultrasound machine to help us find a suitable large vein
• a special X-ray machine to check that the tip of the line is in the right place

These machines make the procedure very safe and avoid the need for large cuts.

How the procedure feels

Having a Hickman line put in is a small (minor) procedure for most people.

We usually give you a local anaesthetic medicine to make the skin on your neck and chest numb. As you are awake during the procedure, you can communicate directly with the hospital staff.

Having a local anaesthetic also reduces your recovery time. You should be able to eat and drink shortly after the procedure. The Hickman line is ready to use immediately.

We can give you more simple painkillers, such as paracetamol, if you feel uncomfortable.