Pain & Central Nervous System Week

Studies from Seoul National University yield new data on anesthesia

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"We evaluated the sternal head of a right clavicle and the nipples as anatomic landmarks for determining the optimal depth of CVC in paediatric patients. Ninety children, < 5 yr, undergoing catheterization through the right internal jugular vein were enrolled. The insertion depth was determined as follows. The insertion point was designated as 'Point I'. The sternal head of the right clavicle was called 'Point A' and the midpoint of the perpendicular line drawn from Point A to the line connecting both nipples was called 'Point B'. The insertion depth of CVC was determined by adding the two distances (from I to A and from A to B) and subtracting 0.5 cm from this. A chest radiography was taken and the distance of the CVC tip from the carina level was measured by the Picture Archiving and Communicating System. The mean distance of the CVC tip from the carina level was 0.1 (1.0) (P=0.293) cm above the carina (95% CI 0.1 cm below the carina-0.3 cm above the carina). There was no specific relationship between the distance of the CVC tip from the carina level and the patients' age, height, and weight," wrote H.S. Na and colleagues, Seoul National University.

The researchers concluded: "The CVC tip could be placed near the carina by using the external landmarks without any formulae, images, and devices in children in our study."

Na and colleagues published their study in British Journal of Anaesthesia (Practical anatomic landmarks for determining the insertion depth of central venous catheter in paediatric patients. British Journal of Anaesthesia, 2009;102(6):820-823).

For additional information, contact J.T. Kim, Seoul National University, Dept. of Anesthesiology & Pain Medical, 101 Daehakno, Seoul 110744, South Korea.

The publisher's contact information for the British Journal of Anaesthesia is: Oxford University Press, Great Clarendon St., Oxford OX2 6DP, England.

Keywords: South Korea, Seoul, Life Sciences, Pediatrics, Catheterization, Angiology, Internal Jugular Vein, Central Venous Catheter, Pain Medicine, Anesthesia, Anatomy, Seoul National University.

This article was prepared by Pain & Central Nervous System Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Pain & Central Nervous System Week via NewsRx.com.