[Central venous catheterization via the internal jugular vein (Rao's method) (author's transl)].

Central venous catheterization via the internal jugular vein was performed in 208 patients. The clavicle-orientated approach, as described by Rao in 1977, was employed. Apart from a higher incidence of failures, arterial punctures and misplacement of the catheter, as compared with other techniques, there were also 3 cases of pneumothorax (1.4 per cent) which were attributable to the proximity of the puncture site to the pleura. In 3 patients with considerable hypovolaemia venipuncture was successful at the first attempt. In view of these observations the technique cannot be regarded as suitable for routine purposes.