Ultrasonographically marked catheterization of internal jugular vein in intensive care patients: Retrospective cohort study

Aim: This study was designed to compare the method of internal jugular vein (IJV) catheterization with prior ultrasonographic (USG) skin marking with the conventional method regarding the performance of a less experienced practitioner in learning ultrasonographic manipulation and safely performing the cannulation. Methods: The records of patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of Ataturk Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery Training and Research Hospital between April and September 2018 were retrospectively examined. 14 female and 26 male patients (n=40) whose IJV cannulations had been performed with the two above-mentioned methods were included in the study. The practitioner was theoretically trained by an experienced radiologist before the cannulation.  Results: The success rate was 65% in the conventional group and 95% in the USG skin-marked group; the difference was statistically significant (P=0.019). The mean time from the first entry of the needle to the skin to the placement of the catheter in successful cannulations in conventional and USG-marked methods were 110.6(25.6) and 121.6(28.3) seconds, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference (P=0.22). Conclusion: This study shows that educating the inexperienced practitioner about the use of USG in IJV cannulation and successful application of skin marking method is important.