Evaluation of the technique of central venous catheterisation via the external jugular vein using the J-wire

This paper reports the results of a prospective study to evaluate the success rate and incidence of complications with the external jugular approach to central venous cannulation using a J-tipped spring guide wire. In a personal series of 100 consecutive patients in whom the technique was attempted, successful placement was achieved in 90, but more importantly there were no immediate technical complications. During the study, internal jugular cannulation was used in fourteen patients because either an external jugular vein was not visible (four patients), could not be cannulated (three patients), or the guide wire could not be manipulated into an intrathoracic position (seven patients). The technique is recommended as the initial method where central venous cannulation must be performed under suboptimal conditions and in very sick patients in whom a serious complication may prove to be fatal.