[Retrograde percutaneous catheterization of the internal jugular vein in head injured patients]

The monitoring of jugular venous oxygen saturation and lactate concentration in order to detect cerebral ischaemia or hyperaemia requires the insertion of a fibreoptic catheter into the upper bulb of the internal jugular vein. With dissection studies we have defined superficial anatomical landmarks which are constant and easily palpable, namely the mastoid process and the sternocleidomastoid muscle. This technique does not require a rotation of the head. The puncture site is located at the top of a triangular area between its sternal and clavicular insertions. At this site the jugular vein is rather superficial. This study reports our experience of the retrograde catheterisation of the jugular vein in twelve severely head injured patients.