Direct comparison
Groshong Catheter vs Hickman: Valve vs Cuff
Groshong catheter vs Hickman in BD's own wording: valve versus cuff and clamp, both non-power injectable, plus the one 1992 head-to-head study.
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How do Groshong catheter, Hickman catheter compare side by side?
The table below compares Groshong catheter, Hickman catheter across 12 procurement-relevant dimensions, from defining design feature (bd wording) through source.
Side-by-side comparison
| Dimension | Groshong catheter | Hickman catheter |
|---|---|---|
| Defining design feature (BD wording) | Valve: BD lists "Negative pressure opens valve inward", "Positive pressure opens valve outward" and "At neutral pressure, valve remains closed". | Cuff and clamp: BD's tray lists a radiopaque silicone catheter with a SureCuff tissue ingrowth cuff and clamp. BD's Hickman/Broviac feature list does not describe a pressure-responsive valve. |
| Flushing frequency (BD wording) | BD lists "Decreased flushing frequency" among the Groshong features. | No flushing-frequency feature appears on BD's Hickman/Broviac page. |
| Lumens listed by BD | Single and dual lumen listings. | Single, dual and triple lumen catheters. |
| Tissue ingrowth cuff | Some listings are described as including a SureCuff tissue ingrowth cuff with a peel-apart introducer. | Tray includes a SureCuff tissue ingrowth cuff; BD says the cuff "promotes tissue growth to secure catheter placement". |
| Clamps | BD's Groshong page does not mention clamps. | BD says plastic clamps and protective sleeves "help prevent catheter damage". |
| Power injection | Labeled "Non-Power Injectable". | Labeled "Non-Power Injectable CVC". |
| Infusion pressure limit (BD brochure) | Not stated on the BD Groshong page. | BD brochure: infusion pressure greater than 25 psi (172 kPa) is not recommended. |
| Material and tip | Not stated on the BD Groshong page. | Silicone; BD lists a soft silicone atraumatic tip and radiopaque silicone construction. |
| Stated intended use | Not stated on the BD Groshong page; the instructions for use govern indications. | BD brochure: designed for long-term vascular access and for patients who lack adequate peripheral venous access. Intended for single patient use; do not reuse. |
| Head-to-head evidence (1992) | Pasquale et al. found no significant difference from the Hickman in septic complications or thrombus formation in cancer patients; the Groshong had more malfunctions, especially one-way intermittent malfunction. | Same study: significantly fewer malfunctions than the Groshong. The authors wrote that the Hickman "appears to be a more favorable alternative" on catheter function. One small study from 1992; device designs and practice have changed since. |
| When each fits | A Groshong is the valve design in this comparison. Whether it suits a patient is decided by the clinician against the product's instructions for use. | A Hickman is the cuff-and-clamp design in this comparison. Whether it suits a patient is decided by the clinician against the product instructions for use. |
| Source | BD Groshong product family page, read 2026-10-30; Pasquale et al. 1992 (PMID 1570619). | BD Hickman/Broviac product family page and brochure BD-19819, read 2026-10-30; Pasquale et al. 1992 (PMID 1570619). |
Common questions
Common questions about Groshong catheter vs Hickman catheter
What is the main difference between a Groshong and a Hickman catheter?
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In BD's own product wording, the Groshong is characterised by a pressure-responsive valve (opens inward with negative pressure, outward with positive pressure, closed at neutral pressure), while the Hickman tray is characterised by a SureCuff tissue ingrowth cuff and plastic clamps. This is general product information, not medical advice.
Are Groshong and Hickman catheters power injectable?
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BD labels its Groshong central venous catheters "Non-Power Injectable" and describes its Hickman/Broviac catheters as "Non-Power Injectable CVC" (product pages read 2026-10-30).
Did any study compare Groshong and Hickman catheters directly?
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Pasquale, Campbell and Magnant, Surg Gynecol Obstet 1992;174(5):408-10 (PMID 1570619), compared them in cancer patients: no significant difference in septic complications or thrombus, and significantly fewer malfunctions with the Hickman. It is a single study from 1992.
