Internal jugular vein cannulation: an ultrasound-guided technique versus a landmark-guided technique.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the landmark-guided technique versus the ultrasound-guided technique for internal jugular vein cannulation in spontaneously breathing patients.


METHODS
A total of 380 patients who required internal jugular vein cannulation were randomly assigned to receive internal jugular vein cannulation using either the landmark- or ultrasound-guided technique in Bursa, Uludag University Faculty of Medicine, between April and November, 2008. Failed catheter placement, risk of complications from placement, risk of failure on first attempt at placement, number of attempts until successful catheterization, time to successful catheterization and the demographics of each patient were recorded.


RESULTS
The overall complication rate was higher in the landmark group than in the ultrasound-guided group (p < 0.01). Carotid puncture rate and hematoma were more frequent in the landmark group than in the ultrasound-guided group (p < 0.05). The number of attempts for successful placement was significantly higher in the landmark group than in the ultrasound-guided group, which was accompanied by a significantly increased access time observed in the landmark group (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). Although there were a higher number of attempts, longer access time, and a more frequent complication rate in the landmark group, the success rate was found to be comparable between the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings of this study indicate that internal jugular vein catheterization guided by real-time ultrasound results in a lower access time and a lower rate of immediate complications.
Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Uludag University Medical Faculty, Bursa, Turkey.
Gurkan
G
Turker
Fatma Nur
FN
Kaya
Alp
A
Gurbet
Hale
H
Aksu
Cuneyt
C
Erdogan
Ahmet
A
Atlas
D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007601:Jugular Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography