[Use of new internal jugular vein catheterization modified by using of a "catheter around the needle" (author's...

Although widely used, subclavian catheterization has lost popularity to the benefit of internal jugular vein judged more secure. Numerous technics have been described. Since two years we use internal jugular vein catheterization according to the description of Boulanger et al. modified by using a "Catheter around the needle" type device 13 cm long and 1.65 mm wide. 122 patients have experienced 125 catheterizations which were performed on the right side in 96.8 p. cent of the cases. More than 50 p. cent of the patients was conscious at the time of venepuncture. 118 attempts were successful. In 7 cases failure was due either to impossibility of puncture (4 times) or catheterization (3 times). The sole complication was accidental arterial puncture (5 times, 4 p. cent). 4 of them at the time of failure of venepuncture. Training has an important role in the occurrence of failures and complications. They were much more frequent during the twenty first attempts. According to us this technic can reduce incidence of accidental arterial puncture. The risk of pneumothorax is low in spite of the length of the needle. But because of the length and relative stiffness of the catheter the tip is always located in the superior vena cava when the right side has been chosen.