Internal jugular vein cannulation in neurosurgical patients: a new approach.

A new approach to internal jugular vein (IJV) cannulation with the head and neck placed in the neutral position is described. The junction of the medial two thirds and lateral one third between the angle of the mandible and symphysis menti is identified. A vertical line is drawn from this point to join another line drawn between the mastoid process and the medial end of the clavicle. The junction is the puncture point. In 120 patients studied, the failure rate was 1.66%, and there were no complications. We propose this technique as a safe and reliable alternative in neurosurgical patients.