Facilitating Needle Alignment With Aiming Method

Aiming Method May Facilitate Needle Alignment in Ultrasound-guided Subclavian Vein Catheterization

Although ultrasound-guided catheterization of the subclavian vein is becoming standard procedure in anesthetic practice, failure to align the needle and the transducer still can lead to possibly complications. In this study, we proposed a new alignment method, namely Aiming Method. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether the use of this aiming method improved resident volunteers' performance of ultrasound-guided SC insertion in real patients. Specifically, residents were asked to perform three different methods: landmark techniques, ultrasound-guided with aiming method and ultrasound-guided plus needle guide techniques.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18 years to 70 years
• American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Physical Status Ⅰ-Ⅲ
• Elective surgery patients requiring subclavian vein catheterization

Exclusion Criteria:

• Local anatomic abnormalities in subclavicular area
• Preexisting subclavian vein thrombosis or coagulation disorders
• Refusal of subclavian vein catheterization