RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Residents' Preferences and Performance of Three Techniques for Ultrasound-Guided Central Venous Cannulation After Simulation Training JF Ochsner Journal JO Ochsner J FD O. P. Jindal Global University SP 146 OP 150 DO 10.31486/toj.17.0099 VO 18 IS 2 A1 Terrell Caffery A1 Tonya Jagneaux A1 Glenn N. Jones A1 Erik Stopa A1 Nathan Freeman A1 Cara Cantelli Quin A1 Ann C. Long A1 Lauren Zatarain A1 Mandi W. Musso YR 2018 UL http://www.ochsnerjournal.org/content/18/2/146.abstract AB Background: Obtaining central venous cannulation of the internal jugular vein is an important skill for physicians to master. To our knowledge, no studies to date have examined residents' preferences or the safety of the oblique approach compared to other approaches. This study compared medical residents' preferences for and performance of ultrasound-guided central venous access using the transverse, longitudinal, and oblique approaches.Methods: Emergency medicine and internal medicine residents (n = 72) at an urban community hospital participated in a central venous access course. To assess the residents' preferences, residents were asked to rank the transverse, longitudinal, and oblique approaches as first, second, or third. In addition to preference, skin-to-vein time, carotid artery puncture, and successful completion on the first attempt during a final skills analysis were measured.Results: During the final skills analysis, the majority (87.5%) of residents preferred the transverse approach. The oblique approach had a significantly larger proportion of failures of technique than the transverse approach (P = 0.02). No significant differences in successful cannulation on the first attempt, skin-to-vein time, or carotid artery puncture among the 3 approaches were found during the final skills assessment.Conclusion: The majority of residents preferred the transverse approach to the longitudinal and oblique approaches. Although no significant differences among the 3 approaches were found in performance measures, more failures of technique occurred with the oblique approach. This study suggests that novices may require in-depth training and supervision to become proficient with the oblique approach.