[Caval catheterization via the innominate vein (author's transl)].

Experience gained in 3500 supraclavicular innominate vein punctures for catheterization of the superior vena cava with the indirect technique is explained and discussed. The innominate vein is easily accessible in every state of blood circulation, even intraoperatively when the patient is covered by drapes. The thrombosis risk is reduced because of the wide lumen and the straight course of the vessel (vena anonyma dextra). The special advantages of the indirect technique are the small puncture trauma and absence of false positions. The only important complication observed during an average infusion time of 8 days was pneumothorax at a rate of 1.4%.