TY - JOUR
T1 - Variable anatomical relationship of phrenic nerve and subclavian vein
T2 - Clinical implication for subclavian vein catheterization
AU - Paraskevas, George K.
AU - Raikos, A.
AU - Chouliaras, K.
AU - Papaziogas, B.
PY - 2011/3
Y1 - 2011/3
N2 - Background. During subclavian vein catheterization, a potential, but rare, hazard is the phrenic nerve injury, which compromises respiratory function. We conducted a cadaver study focused on the possible anatomical relationships between the subclavian vein and the phrenic nerve. Methods. Forty-two adult cadavers (84 heminecks) were dissected. Special attention was given to the topography of the phrenic nerve and subclavian vein. Results. In all but three cases (81 of 84), normal topography was present, that is, the nerve was posterior to the vein. In two cases, the phrenic nerve crossed anterior to the subclavian vein and in one case traversed the anterior wall of the subclavian vein. Conclusions. Variants of the relationship of the subclavian vein and the phrenic nerve should be familiar to anaesthesiologists during subclavian vein cannulation in order to achieve successful vein approach without causing phrenic nerve palsy.
AB - Background. During subclavian vein catheterization, a potential, but rare, hazard is the phrenic nerve injury, which compromises respiratory function. We conducted a cadaver study focused on the possible anatomical relationships between the subclavian vein and the phrenic nerve. Methods. Forty-two adult cadavers (84 heminecks) were dissected. Special attention was given to the topography of the phrenic nerve and subclavian vein. Results. In all but three cases (81 of 84), normal topography was present, that is, the nerve was posterior to the vein. In two cases, the phrenic nerve crossed anterior to the subclavian vein and in one case traversed the anterior wall of the subclavian vein. Conclusions. Variants of the relationship of the subclavian vein and the phrenic nerve should be familiar to anaesthesiologists during subclavian vein cannulation in order to achieve successful vein approach without causing phrenic nerve palsy.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=79951569537&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1093/bja/aeq373
DO - 10.1093/bja/aeq373
M3 - Article
C2 - 21233111
AN - SCOPUS:79951569537
SN - 0007-0912
VL - 106
SP - 348
EP - 351
JO - British Journal of Anaesthesia
JF - British Journal of Anaesthesia
IS - 3
ER -