[Percutaneous catheterization of internal jugular vein].

Percutaneous catheterization of internal jugular vein has been recognized as a valuable procedure during special conditions which need either a central venous pressure monitoring or a route for intravenous infusion either on a long term or short term basis. In our hospital we had 27 patients who had undergone 32 percutaneous internal jugular vein catheterizations over a period of 19 months. Patients' age ranged from 10 days to 13 year-old. Among these 27 patients, 20 were less than 1 year-old. Overall successful punctures were achieved in 87.5% of attempts. There was no case complicated with pneumothorax, hematoma, air embolization, pericardial tamponade or Horner's syndrome following the procedure. 68.7% of the procedure were done under emergency situation when peripheral venous route were inaccessible. In our experience, this procedure is a highly useful method of obtaining venous line in patient with inaccessible peripheral venous route.