Open insertion of right atrial catheters through the jugular veins.

A safe and effective method for placement of all types of long term Silastic right atrial catheters into the central veins by open cutdown is described. The certainty that the catheter can be passed in this way through either the external or internal jugular vein, using only one incision, allows the procedure to proceed smoothly and without interruption. Percutaneous attempts that have a higher complication rate and cephalic vein cut-downs that are unsuccessful because of inadequate vein caliber are thereby avoided.