Objective: To explore the application of external jugular catheter in hemodialysis patients and provide a new means of inserting tube.
Methods: Data of patients who applied the external jugular venous catheter from January 2000 to December 2007 in Second Xiangya hospital were retrospectively analyzed. We observed the time of indwelling catheter, blood flow, tube associated complications and the adequacy of dialysis.
Results: External jugular vein catheters were performed in 856 patients, the successful ratio was 93.22% (798 cases). In total, 223 with dual lumen and 575 with single lumen. The average time of indwelling catheter was (3.46+/-2.21) months. Altogether 405 patients were followed up until the end-point of the investigation, accounting for 50.75å.The average time was (3.12+/-1.22) months. Causes for withdrawal were internal fistula, death, renal transplantation, infection,poor blood flow, etc. Thirty-two patients (4.01%) had the blood flow lower than 150 mL/min(18 of dual lumen catheter), 20 improved through position adjustment and urokinase. The decreasing ratio of BUN in 100 patients after dialysis treatment was about 70%, and the average Kt/V was 1.37+/-0.35, which had no significant difference comparing with that of patients using internal jugular venous catheter (Kt/V=1.39+/-0.33, n=100).Main acute complications of catherizations included 4 local hematoma (0.5%) and 3 bleeding (0.38%). Infection was the major complication in the course of indwelling catherizations, including 32 (4.01%) with local skin infection, 26 (3.26%) catheter infections and 6 (0.75%) with catheter thromboses.
Conclusion: External jugular vein catheterization in hemodialysis is simple,with no serious complications and can provide adequate blood flow. It may be recommended for the patients with visible jugular vein.