Routine subclavian vein catheterization in abdominal surgical practice.

Ninety-four routine subclavian vein catheterizations in patients with abdominal surgical procedures were performed by the resident surgical staff at the Medical University of South Carolina Hospital over a ten month period. This was done primarily to have ready access to large veins during surgery and to free the patients' extremities from uncomfortable immobilization and the risk of superficial thrombophlebitis in the postoperative period. The procedure is safe, and complications can be kept to a minimum if experienced personnel place and then care for the catheter.