Analysis for Failure and Immediate Complications of Subclavian Venous Catheterization

Cho, Won Joon; Jang, Moon Key; Lee, Seung Cheol; Chin, Young Jhoon; Chung, Chan Jong

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This study was to investigate success rate, immediate complications, and risk factors of failure and immediate complications of subclavian venous catheterization (SVC).
METHODS
All patients requiring SVC, older than 18 years of age and without past history of operation, scar, and radiation therapy at puncture site were included. After general or regional anesthesia was induced, SVC was done via infraclavicular approach. Patient's age, gender, weight, height, the rank of operator, anesthesia method, the side of venipuncture, the number of puncture attempts, arterial puncture, and success or failure were recorded. After the operation, a chest radiography was evaluated to check the occurrence of pneumothorax, hemothorax and the location of the catheter tip.
RESULTS
SVC was performed in 1092 patients. Thirty-nine patients were excluded because a chest radiography was not checked. Successful catheterization without immediate complications was performed in 939 patients (89.2%). Failure occurred in 65 patients (6.2%). Arterial puncture, pneumothorax and misplacement of the catheter tip were reported in 26 (2.5%), 5 (0.5%), and 35 (3.3%) patients, respectively. Misplacement of the catheter tip were observed in 26 patients (2.5%) at ipsilateral internal jugular vein, and in 9 (0.8%) at contralateral subclavian vein. Failure and immediate complications of SVC were associated with the number of puncture attempts. The number of puncture attempts were associated with age, puncture side and anesthetic method.
CONCLUSIONS
Failure and immediate complications of SVC occurred in 10.8% of cases and were associated with the number of puncture attempts.