The internal jugular vein (IJV) is an important access to the central venous system. We compared sonographically guided technique with the traditional anatomic landmark technique for IJV catheterization. In a prospective randomized trial, 100 patients underwent routine catheterization of the IJV (50 patients in the sonography group and 50 patients in the anatomic landmark group). Access time, failure rates, and complication rates were evaluated. In addition, the physicians' number of years of experience with catheter insertion was recorded. Access time was markedly shorter with the sonographically guided technique (mean, 15.2 sec; range, 8-76 sec) than with the anatomic landmark technique (mean, 51.4 sec; range, 3-820 sec) (p = .001). The failure rate was significantly lower with the sonographically guided technique (p = .002). Complications were fewer with the sonographically guided technique (neck hematoma, 2% versus 10%; plexus irritation, 4% versus 6%; carotid artery puncture, 0% versus 12%). We found that the number of years of postgraduate clinical training was greater in the group of physicians using the anatomic landmark technique. The sonographically guided technique is associated with less risk and less inconvenience for patients, especially critically ill patients, for whom the technique provides fast, safe, and easy IJV catheterization.

Purpose: So far there is little evidence on peripherally inserted central venous catheter (PICC) in radiation oncology patients maintaining the access during the periods of ambulatory and hospital treatment. Methods: A total of 522 PICC placements in 484 patients were performed between 11/2011 and 07/2016 at the Department of Radiation Oncology and analysed retrospectively for complications and treatment- and patient-related factors during ambulatory and hospital inpatient use. On initial hospitalization, all patients received a multimodal radio-oncological treatment consisting of radiation and intravenous therapy administered via the PICC. Results: A total of 18,292 catheter days were documented. Median follow-up from catheter insertion to their removal was 37 days (1–97). The overall complication rate was 4.1 per 1000 catheter days (n = 75, 14.4%). Complications were similar between the cohort of outpatient 3.6 per 1000 catheter days and the cohort of inpatient 4.8 per 1000 catheter days (OR 0.976; 95% CI [0.598; 1.619]; p = 0.924). Severe bloodstream infections occurred at a rate of 0.60 per 1000 catheter days (n = 11, 2.1%), deep vein thrombosis at a rate of 0.82 per 1.000 catheter days (n = 15, 2.9%) and local inflammation at a rate of 1.26 per 1.000 catheter days (n = 23, 4.4%). Only immunotherapy could be identified as an independent risk factor for complications (OR 5.6; 95% CI [2.4; 13.1]; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Using PICC in outpatients is not associated with an elevated risk of complications. Particular attention should be payed to early identification of PICC associated bloodstream infections. Immunotherapy is an independent risk factor for local skin complication.