Central venous catheterization is one of the most common procedures performed by physicians [5]. It allows intravenous infusion of TPN, chemotherapeutic agents and long-term antibiotics. It also facilitates blood withdrawal and haemodynamic monitoring [5]. The preferred initial access site for CVC insertion by most authors is the right IJV [6].
The majority of paediatric surgeons in the UK prefer the ultrasound-guided approach for insertion of CVCs, and this report is certainly not disputing that the ultrasound-guided approach is less invasive and should be the first option if the relevant experience is available. However nowadays, especially in children, there are more patients requiring multiple CVC insertions due to repeated complications such as catheter sepsis or malfunction and vein stenosis or thrombosis. It is therefore crucial to be aware of the various options for long-term central venous access [3]. The use of the EJV as an alternative route for central venous access is generally accepted both in adults [6, 7] and in children [8, 9]. The EJV is additionally used in patients undergoing transjugular liver biopsy [10].
Anatomically, the superficial temporal vein unites with the maxillary vein within the substance of the parotid gland to form the retromandibular vein which then divides into anterior and posterior branches. The facial vein joins the anterior branch to form the common facial vein which drains into the IJV. The posterior auricular vein unites with the posterior branch of the retromandibular vein to form the EJV. After its formation, the EJV runs vertically downwards in the superficial fascia and crosses the sternomastoid muscle. It then pierces the deep cervical fascia just above the middle of the clavicle to drain into the SCV [4].
There have been a few reports illustrating variations in the formation or the termination of the EJV [4]. Vollala et al. reported variations in the formation of the EJV in 2 cadavers, one of whom the EJV was formed very low and in the other cadaver the EJV was formed by the union of the facial vein and an undivided retromandibular vein [11]. In 2 cadaveric studies examining the termination of the EJV, it was reported that the EJV mostly terminated in the jugulo-subclavian venous confluence (60% and 72%), followed by the SCV (36% and 26%), while rarely (4% and 2%) the EJV terminated into the IJV [12, 13]. There have been no reports on “the branching EJV” or its clinical relevance to CVC insertion. Similarly, there have been no reports in paediatric or adult patients correlating any variation in the anatomy of the EJV and its clinical relevance during CVC insertion.
The fact that “the branching EJV” has never been reported previously may be due to the preference of most surgeons and intensivists to use the percutaneous approach to the IJV, SCV or femoral vein using the Seldinger technique rather than the cut down technique on the EJV [9]. The percutaneous approach for the EJV has been described in children [8, 9] but is not yet popular among most paediatric surgeons. The preference of the author during the study period for insertion of CVCs in children, who are likely to need many central venous lines in the future, was to spare the IJV and the SCV if possible. Hence, for any child requiring CVC insertion, if the EJV is externally visualised and has not been previously accessed, then the open cut down approach through the EJV was the preferred technique. This has led to an increase in the number of procedures performed on the EJV (47% of the cases during the current study period). This together with awareness of the anatomical variations with the EJV led to recognition of “the branching EJV”.
In the current study, “the branching EJV” was noted in 24% of the cases with no predilection to the side of the vein, patient’s sex, age or clinical diagnosis. “The branching EJV” divided into a larger anterior branch that follows the course of the main EJV (before it branches) and a smaller posterior branch arising above the clavicle at an acute angle. This has led to the tendency of the CVC to follow the anterior rather than the posterior branch and hence the difficulty in placing the CVC in a satisfactory position. Figures 1 and 2 illustrate how the central line descended into the anterior branch, giving false impression that it is heading in the right direction. Various manoeuvres have been reported to be necessary for the successful insertion of CVCs into the EJV in 50% of the children [9]. These manoeuvres include careful twisting of the head to the side of the vein and exerting downward traction on the ipsilateral arm and shoulder [9]. Although we appreciate the usefulness of these manoeuvres in the insertion of the EJV CVCs, yet in all the cases of “the branching EJV”, it was of no help as the catheter always threaded into the anterior branch that was not leading to the right atrium. The key for successful insertion in these cases is identifying the posterior branch of the EJV (that always arises above the clavicle at an acute angle) and manipulating the line so that it passes into the posterior rather than the anterior branch of the EJV. Once the central line is in the posterior branch, it follows its course easily into the right atrium.
The overall success rate of percutaneous CVC insertion in children via the EJV is suboptimal, with Humphrey et al. [14] reporting an overall success rate of 59% in children with visible EJV. Romão et al. [9] reported an improved success rate (78.8%) with body manoeuvres required in half of the successful children. The current study although small yet represents the highest reported success rate with CVC insertions through the EJV in children (100%). We believe that this is due to the use of the open cut down approach that allowed the identification of “the branching EJV”. It is obviously more difficult to identify “the branching EJV” and negotiate the catheter in the posterior branch using the percutaneous approach.
