Peripheral vascular catheters (PVCs) are important medical devices but their insertion and usage are associated with discomfort and potential complications such as thrombophlebitis. This article looks into the various aspects of the practice of using PVCs, especially their complications and ways of avoiding them. OBJECTIVE to determine the complications (and their associated factors) related to PVCs. METHODS prospective. METHODS District General Hospital. METHODS a study was undertaken of 86 of the 106 patients consecutively admitted as an emergency over a period of two weeks who had a PVC inserted. METHODS the admitting doctors inserted the PVCs at their discretion. PVC sites were inspected daily. RESULTS of the 86 PVCs inserted, 42 were never used, while 43 were of large gauge and 29 were left in situ for over 72 hours. Eight patients developed thrombophlebitis, of which four had a large gauge PVC, two were never used and two were left in situ for over 72 hours (P=0.016). CONCLUSIONS incidence of thrombophlebitis may be reduced by re-siting or removing PVCs within 72 hours. PVC gauge and whether it was used, were not associated with this complication.