Alternative puncture site for implantable permanent haemodialysis catheters

BACKGROUND.: Vascular access represents a major problem in long-term haemodialysispatients. In patients without patent internal arteriovenousfistula, the implantation of cuffed catheters to provide a temporaryor permanent central venous access is often necessary. Catheterizationof the subclavian vein should be avoided because of the highrisk of stenosis or thrombosis. The puncture of the internaljugular vein can be impossible in cases with stenosis or thrombosisdue to previous catheterization. To overcome these limitationswe evaluated an alternative puncture site for implantation ofpermanent central venous catheters. METHODS.: The very low, most central jugular approach, first describedby Rao et al., with the site of puncture just above the medialnotch of the clavicle, was used to introduce Dacron cuffed dialysiscatheters into the innominate vein in four chronic dialysispatients with impeded conventional vascular access. RESULTS.: In all four patients puncture of the internal jugular vein usingRao's technique was successful at the first attempt. All fourcatheters were introduced without any problems. Even in a casewith thrombosis of the internal jugular vein and the ipsilateralsubclavian vein, this technique was successfully applied. Nocomplications such as haematoma, pneumothorax, or catheter-associatedinfection were observed. The catheters remained in situ for2–12 months with excellent blood flow and without clinicalevidence of venous stenosis or thrombosis. CONCLUSIONS.: In case of failure to cannulate the internal jugular vein bya conventional approach, the technique of Rao et al. can beused before sacrificing the subclavian vein or changing to exotictechniques such as translumbar, transfemoral or transhepaticmethods.