Right Versus Left Distal Axillary Vein Cannulation

Central venous cannulation is an essential procedure in the anaesthetic and critical care practice. Ultrasound has revolutionized the practice favoring the internal jugular cannulation to the other sites .Subcalvian vein cannulation has fallen out of favor mainly due to the difficult visualization with the ultrasound, especially in obese patients and the inevitable position of the clavicle acting as a bony obstacle , in addition to the anatomical position in vicinity to the pleura which might raise the risk of pneumothorax . Indeed the subclavian vein cannulation is more comfortable and tolerated by the patient especially those requiring long term intravenous therapy, with less rates of infection and thrombosis. This mandated the development of a safer and efficient technique for the cannulation empowered by the ultrasound technology.

The infracalvicular approach or the proximal axillary vein cannulation has been described but is not popular. It provides a potentially safer and successful technique with less complication both in "experienced" and "less experienced"operators . All the patients will receive general anaesthesia with laryngeal mask insertion . Careful sterilization of the surgical site and strict aseptic techniques for the handling of the ultrasound probe will be pursued