A modified wire-guided technique for venous cutdown access.

Abstract

The use of a guidewire to facilitate the placement of an IV cannula through a cutdown is described. This technique was taught to 24 novice operators (medical students and first-year residents). In a randomized, prospective, crossover study, their performance of this technique in an animal model was compared with the use of the classic cutdown technique. The modified technique was performed 22% (two minutes, 13 seconds) more rapidly, on average, than the classic technique (P less than .05). Other potential advantages of this technique are discussed.