Short Versus Long Axis Ultrasound Guided Approach for Internal Jugular Vein Cannulations: A Prospective Randomised Controlled Trial.

Introduction: The guidelines for the use of bedside ultrasonography in the evaluation of critically ill patients published by the society of critical care medicine recommends short-axis view be used during insertion of central venous catheter (CVC) in internal jugular vein (IJV) to improve success rate1. The long axis view is considered better for cannulations as it helps in preventing posterior wall puncture but in the trials it has been found to be inconvenient for a single user2,3. We hypothesise that if two persons perform long axis cannulations i.e. one person will image the vein while the other punctures it will be equally convenient to single person doing the cannulations in short axis. The advantage we expect to see is lesser complications in long axis group.

Methodology:

Inclusion criteria: Any patient getting admitted to ICU and requiring central venous cannulations.

Exclusion: Lack of consent. Randomization: At a 1:1 ratio, to be achieved using a computer-generated random number sequence for 100 consecutive subjects Study intervention: Eligible patients will be randomized to a short-axis or long axis technique for ultrasound guided IJV cannulations. Ultrasound guidance will be performed dynamically using a single-operator technique for short axis and double operator technique for long axis view. Cannulations and USG is to be carried out by 2 trained Anaesthesiologists.

Definition: