Influence of the Head Posture on Central Venous Catheter Position during Right Subclavian Catheterization / 대한마취과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Confirmation of central venous catheter position with chest X-ray is recommended, but frequently omitted in clinical practice. It was suggested that the head posture during right subclavian catheterization affects the incidence of catheter malposition in infants. We evaluated the influence of the head posture on catheter position during right subclavian catheterization in adults. METHODS: Two-hundred and seventy four patients scheduled for thoracic or neuro-surgery requiring central venous catheterization were enrolled. Patients were divided into 3 groups depending on the head posture during catheter insertion the neutral group (n = 109), the turn away group (n = 72), and the turn toward group (n = 93). The catheter position was confirmed with postoperative chest X-ray. RESULTS: Central venous catheterization was failed in 5 patients. There were no differences in the incidence of catheter malposition and the complications among the 3 groups. CONCLUSIONS: The head posture during right subclavian catheterization did not affect catheter malposition and immediate complication rates.