title: Effects of head rotation on the right internal jugular vein in infants and young children.
abstract: We investigated the effects of head rotation on the cross-sectional area of the right internal jugular vein and its relative position to the carotid artery. Eighty-eight subjects were divided into infants and children groups. The cross-sectional area of the right internal jugular vein and the degree of the carotid artery overlap were measured at 0 degrees (neutral), 40 degrees and 80 degrees of head rotation. The cross-sectional area of the right internal jugular vein was significantly larger at 40 degrees and 80 degrees head rotation compared with the neutral position in both infants and children (p < 0.001). As the head was rotated, the percentage overlap of the carotid artery increased significantly (p < 0.001). We suggest that 40 degrees head rotation appears to be optimal for right internal jugular vein cannulation in paediatric patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology and Pain Medicine, College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Gwak
authors.forename: J Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: E H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Suk
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D019416:Head Movements / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007601:Jugular Veins / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D012399:Rotation; D014463:Ultrasonography