Abstract

BACKGOUND: This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of central venous catheterization via the external jugular vein (EJV). We compared the success rate of left and right EJV catheterization. The influence of the course of left and right external jugular vein on success rate was investigated also.
METHODS
Eighty anesthetized adult surgical patients were studied consecutively. Patients were allocated to left or right EJV catheterization and measured the angles between EJV and clavicle and transverse shoulder line. Catheterization was performed under sterile conditions by Seldinger technique after angiography of EJV and subclavian vein. We analyzed the relationship between the angles and success rate and time for catheterization. We compared the success rate of left and right EJV catheterization.
RESULTS
The overall rate of intrathoracic placement was 74 from 80 catheterization (92.5%). Analysis of success in left and right EJV catheterization did not reveal statistically significant differences. The success rates did not show any correlation with course of EJV. Complications were few and not serious.
CONCLUSIONS
This study indicated that left and right EJVs were good routes for central venous catheterizationan with acceptably high success rate. However, we could not find the predictor of success for central venous catheterization via EJV.

• Keywords: Anatomy;external jugular vein;Vein;central venous cannulation;