[Pediatric central venous catheterization through the axillary veins using ultrasound guidance].

Background: Axillary veins (AXVs) are selected for the central venous catheterization (CVC) in adults using ultrasound echo but quite rarely in children. We evaluated the relationships between the widths and the depths of the pediatric AXVs.

Methods: The widths and the depths of the AXVs were measured using an ultrasound echo apparatus in fifty patients.

Results: The widths and depths of the AXVs were about 3.8 and 10.0 mm in patients of about 75.7 cm in height. In 35 children less than 80 cm in height, AXVs depth to width ratios (D/W) averaged 3.6, and the CVC through the AXVs seemed difficult, whereas in 7 children of more than 100 cm in height, D/W averaged 1.7, and it seemed easy.

Conclusions: We should know the AXV characteristics to secure the pediatric CVC through the AXV.