Nicolson S C, Sweeney M F, Moore R A, Jobes D R
Crit Care Med. 1985 Sep;13(9):747-9. doi: 10.1097/00003246-198509000-00011.
Percutaneous catheterization of the central circulation via the internal jugular vein was compared to cannulation via the external jugular vein, in a retrospective review of 200 pediatric patients. The internal approach resulted in an 86% rate of successful cannulations with 99.9% of the catheters positioned in the thorax; this technique was accompanied by an 8% incidence of carotid artery puncture. The external jugular route eliminated the risk of carotid artery puncture; however, it was successful in only 65% of the attempts, and 14% of the successful cannulations had catheter tips incorrectly positioned outside the thorax.
