A modified internal jugular vein access for long-term catheter placement in cancer patients.

Background: Placement, handling, and maintenance of indwelling central venous access devices may be difficult due to anatomical, clinical, or hematologic conditions in many cancer patients needing chemotherapy. An alternative approach technique is suggested joining surgical dissection to venipuncture, assisted by fluoroscopy, as a secure way to avoid complications of long-term indwelling catheters. Although ultrasound guided puncture is a safe procedure, it is not always available or familiar to most surgeons.