A novel ultrasound-guided approach to the axillary vein: Oblique-axis view combined with in-plane puncture.

Introduction: Ultrasound-guided cannulation of the axillary vein in the infraclavicular area has several potential advantages for both short-term and long-term venous access devices. Currently, there are two techniques to approach axillary vein for ultrasound-guided cannulation: out-of-plane puncture in the short-axis view and the in-plane puncture in the long-axis view. We propose a novel ultrasound-guided puncture technique of axillary vein for centrally inserted central catheter placement, which consists in the oblique-axis view of the axillary vein coupled with the in-plane puncture.

The mystery of the occluded port that allowed blood withdrawal: is it safe to use standard needles to access ports? A case report and literature review.

A frequent complication of totally implantable central venous access devices (TIVADs) is withdrawal occlusion. We describe a case of rare dysfunction of TIVADs: blood withdrawal was possible, whereas infusion was not. A further investigation demonstrated that during infusion, a silicone core, probably produced by hypodermic needle puncture, occluded the reservoir outlet hole.