Ultrasound-Guided Central Venous Cannulation in Neonates: A Comparison Between Introducer Needle and Cannula over the Needle Techniques

Objective: To compare introducer needle technique versus cannula over the needle technique for guide-wire placement to perform successful central venous cannulation in neonates using ultrasonography Study Design: Quasi-experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Anaesthesia, Pak Emirates Military Hospital Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Feb 2020 to Jun 2021. Methodology: A total of 78 neonates who required central venous cannulation under general anaesthesia were randomly divided into two equal groups, Introducer Needle Group, Group-I (n=39), and Cannula Over the Needle Group, Group-II (n=39). Primary outcome measure was success on first attempt and secondary outcomes were total number of attempts until success and duration of procedure. Procedure related complications were also recorded. Results: Success on first attempt was much higher in Cannula over the Needle (CN) Group. Total number of attempts until successful cannulation were less in cannula over the needle (CN) group and time taken to perform successful cannulation was less in Cannula Over the Needle Group as compared to introducer needle group. Conclusion: In neonates if cannula over the needle is used instead of introducer needle, success on first attempt is more likely. Moreover, number of attempts are reduced and less time is taken to perform successful procedure.