Advantages

Low cost

More comfortable than IV administration

Less likely than IV administration to cause pulmonary edema or fluid overload

Simple insertion, less distressing than IV; easier reinsertion at new site

More suitable for home care than IV line, with less staff supervision and less need for hospitalization

Can be set up and administered by nurses in almost any setting

Does not cause thrombophlebitis

Has not been shown to cause septicemia or systemic infection

Can be started and stopped at any time by opening and closing the clamp on clysis tubing; no danger of clot formation

Disadvantages

Usual rate only 1 mL per minute; only 3,000 mL (at two sites) can be given in 24 hours

Limitations on administration of electrolytes, nutrition additives and medications

Edema at infusion site is common

Possibility of local reactions