Ultrasound-guided subclavian vein cannulation in infants and children: a novel approach

Central venous cannulation in infants remains challenging even for experienced paediatric anaesthesiologists. Ultrasound (US)-guidance techniques are proven to be safer for internal jugular vein catheterization. But the subclavian vein (SCV) is often the preferred site for long-term central venous catheterization in children. We describe a novel US-guided approach for SCV cannulation in infants and children.

The principle of this technique is to place the US probe at the supraclavicular level to obtain a longitudinal view of the SCV, and to gain access to the vein via the usual infraclavicular route to cannulate it under ultrasonic control. Details and pitfalls of this technique are described. The prospectively collected results of our first 25 punctures are reported.

Patients' weight and age range were 2.2-27 kg and 1 day to 9 yr, respectively: 76% of the children weighed less than 10 kg. The success rate at the first attempt was 84% and 100% after two attempts. An asymptomatic thrombus in the SCV could also be detected with this technique.

This US-guided approach of the SCV offers a new possibility for central venous catheterization in children. This technique seems promising for children less than 10 kg and probably also for older children. It provides good quality needle guidance and allows to check the vessel patency before puncture.