Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 12/18/2010

Question
Could a phlebitis caused by an IV catheter may appear after more than 4 weeks?
I had an IV placed inside my wrist for a Propofol MAC anesthesia. The op lasted an hour and the line has been removed after another hour an a half. I started feeling tingling and numbing in my hand and forearm a  month after and I thought it could be carpal tunnel syndrome but I noticed a hard vein running inside my arm last week, especially when it's down.

Answer
It is not likely that a phlebitis started a month after the surgery but you might have had it immediately but only noticed it now. I would still think it unlikely since if there was a phlebitis, it would have resolved by now. Furthermore, a phlebitis would be red, inflamed, warm and tender. Are you sure your feeling a vein and not a tendon?

Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston