Introduction: Peripheral cannulations are one of the commonest procedures to be performed in hospital settings and peripheral thrombophlebitis is also a common complication that occurs after intravenous cannulations. The incidence rates are variable and there was a need to evaluate if it was different in our setting and also the reasons for its removal and other factors associated with this common but important problem. Methods: We randomized 288 patients who were admitted to the general surgical ward into elective and clinically indicated groups (n=144) in either group after taking informed consent. Cannula in the elective group were re-sited every 48 hours and only removed if there were signs suggestive of peripheral thrombophlebitis. Current and previous cannulation sites were examined by the investigator every 24 hours for any signs and symptoms of peripheral thrombophlebitis. Results: The incidence of peripheral thrombophlebitis was 15.3 % with 8.3 % (n=12) incidence in the elective and 22.2 % (n=32) in the clinically indicated group. The mean time of cannula removal was 56.86 hours. Conclusions: Elective re-siting of intravenous cannula every 48 hours results in a significant reduction in the incidence of peripheral thrombophlebitis when compared with clinically indicated re-siting.