Experience of anesthesiologists with percutaneous nonangiographic venous access.
OBJECTIVE
To compare percutaneous nonangiographic insertion of a venous access device with a standard surgical cutdown insertion technique.


METHODS
Prospective, controlled, randomized study.


METHODS
Operating room and anesthesia induction room of a university hospital.


METHODS
100 consecutive oncology patients scheduled for intravenous chemotherapy.


METHODS
Patients were randomized to two groups: (1) The percutaneous group received implantation through the internal jugular vein by experienced anesthesiologists, whereas (2) the surgical group received venous cutdown insertion through the cephalic or subclavian vein by surgeons (n = 50 for each group).


METHODS
Duration of procedure, long-term device function, complications such as hematoma formation, infection, hemothorax, pneumothorax, and patients' satisfaction with the placement procedure at two months of follow-up were all measured and recorded.


RESULTS
The percutaneous technique was found to have several advantages, including reduced time for insertion and greater patient satisfaction with procedure. The percutaneously implanted devices also had fewer insertion-associated complications.


CONCLUSIONS
The simplified, percutaneous, nonangiographic technique is as effective as the traditional venous cutdown technique and can be safely done by surgeons as well as by experienced physicians who are not surgeons.
Chen
Pin-Tarng
PT
Department of Anesthesiology, Taipei-Veterans General Hospital and National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 112, Taiwan.
Sung
Chun-Sung
CS
Wang
Chao-Chun
CC
Chan
Kwok-Hon
KH
Chang
Wen-Kuei
WK
Hsu
Wen-Hu
WH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000776:Anesthesiology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007601:Jugular Veins; D008297:Male; D008488:Medical Illustration; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010820:Physicians / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013350:Subclavian Vein; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016748:Venous Cutdown / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data