Permanent right atrial catheter insertion.

Permanent Silastic catheters allow the establishment of chronic venous access in persons requiring nutritional support by vein as well as patients who require long-term intravenous chemotherapy. A technique is described for successful venous cannulation without crossing the clavicle. This approach guarantees the establishment of venous access in patients in whom the subclavian vein has been demonstrated to be patent. It is within the scope of any surgeon who operates in the axilla.