[Internal jugular vein catheter--success rate and complications with reference to educational status]

In a prospective study the success and complications of internal jugular vein catheterization in relation to the degree of experience were investigated. The internal jugular vein catheter were placed in 200 patients by experienced anaesthetists and by anaesthetists not experienced in this procedure as well. In the case of physicians trained in this procedure, the success rate was 98 percent, whereas in the case of inexperienced collegues, the success rate was 83 percent with a high number of attempted punctures. In addition to the increased rate of haematoma, during the learning period, the incidence of accidental arterial punction was 18 percent resulting in a temporary Horners-syndrome in one patient. In the group of experienced anaesthetists the accidental arterial puncture occurred only in 3 percent without any haematome. In one patient the procedure was interrupted because of temporary AV-Block (3rd degree). The complications of internal jugular vein cannulation are reviewed and the methods to avoid them are presented.