A hydrophilic coated stylette is pre-loaded in an implantable catheter. The hydrophilic coated stylette is wetted with saline to activate the hydrophilic coating. The stylette loaded catheter is tunneled, typically through muscle and tissue, to a desired target site within the body. The hydrophilic coated stylette is then removed from the catheter while maintaining the catheter intact. The proximal end of the catheter can be connected to an outlet of an implantable infusion pump so that medicament can be delivered directly to the target site.