The aforementioned technique of confirmation of the central catheter has been used in the placement of 50 consecutive catheters placed through the greater saphenous venous approach. The drop test has proved to be positive in 49 of 50 insertions (98 per cent). The single false-positive result was obtained in a catheter with a hairpin bend at the tip. This technique has markedly decreased the amount of time required to place the catheter by avoiding multiple roentgenograms and the associated waiting time and reduces the increased cost of multiple roentgenograms.