Ultrasound guidance for internal jugular vein cannulation in PICU: a randomised controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: We investigated whether ultrasound guidance was advantageous over the anatomical landmark technique when performed by inexperienced paediatricians. DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial. SETTING: A paediatric intensive care unit of a teaching hospital. PATIENTS: 80 children (aged 28 days to <14 years). INTERVENTIONS: Internal jugular vein cannulation with ultrasound guidance in real time or the anatomical landmark technique. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Success rate, success rate on the first attempt, success rate within three attempts, puncture time, number of attempts required for success and occurrence of complications. RESULTS: We found a higher success rate in the ultrasound guidance than in the control group (95% vs 61%, respectively; p<0.001; relative risk (RR)=0.64, 95% CI (CI) 0.50 to 0.83). Success on the first attempt was seen in 95% and 34% of venous punctures in the US guidance and control groups, respectively (p<0.001; RR=0.35, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.54). Fewer than three attempts were required to achieve success in 95% of patients in the US guidance group but only 44% in the control group (p<0.001; RR=0.46, 95% CI 0.32 to 0.66). Haematomas, inadvertent arterial punctures, the number of attempts and the puncture time were all significantly lower in the ultrasound guidance than in the control group (p<0.015 for all). CONCLUSIONS: Critically ill children may benefit from the ultrasound guidance for internal jugular cannulation, even when the procedure is performed by operators with limited experience. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: RBR-4t35tk.