A Comparative Study Of Internal Jugular Vein Cannulation- Central Approach Versus Subclavian Vein Cannulation – Infraclavicular Approach

Abstract

Background: Central venous cannulation is a commonly used perioperative procedure to monitor the critically ill patients. The aim of this study is anatomical landmark based cannulation of internal jugular vein and subclavian vein and to determine the outcome, technical ease, complication rate. Though ultrasound guided central venous cannulation may be the gold standard method, it may not be available everywhere. Anaesthesiology residents performed the procedure under the guidance of faculty members in operation theatres based on anatomical land marks. Methods: We prospectively evaluated the performance of central venous cannulation by anaesthesiology residents through either internal jugular vein or subclavian vein based on the anatomical landmark guided techniques. Fifty patients posted for major surgeries were included in the study. Results: The success rate of the procedure, the numbers of attempts, complication rate between both groups are comparable to each other based on the statistical analysis. The time to perform internal jugular vein cannulation is significantly shorter than the time required for subclavian vein cannulation. Conclusion: In places where ultrasound imaging facilities are not available, anatomical land mark based techniques will help us to do the procedure. This study dispels the impression that Internal jugular vein is technically easier with reduced complication rate than subclavian vein cannulation. Results are comparable with each other.