A Difference in Subclavian Vein Catheterization Between Supine and Lateral Tilt Position - Stage I

Central venous catheterization is widely used for various purposes during surgery. For central venous catheterization, subclavian vein is selected because of the relatively low risk of infection, long-term patency and low patient discomfort. The cross - sectional area of the subclavian vein is an important factor to increase success rate. Several studies have reported that the Trendelenburg position increases the cross-sectional area of the subclavian vein, and the lateral tilt position can change the cross-sectional area of the subclavian vein. However, the impact of lateral tilt position to the cross-sectional area of the subclavian vein is not clear. The ipsilateral position can increase the cross-sectional area of the subclavian vein, and the contralateral position can decrease the cross-sectional area by gravity.

In the first stage of this study, we compare the cross-sectional area of subclavian vein using ultrasonography in supine, ipsilateral, and contralateral tilt position.