A comparison was made between 126 left and 126 right percutaneous infraclavicular subclavian vein cannulations. Compared with the right side, insertion of the cannula on the left side resulted in significantly (p < 0.01) fewer catheter tip misplacements although both sides showed the same incidence of cannulation failures and immediate complications.
Using the infraclavicular approach to the subclavian vein for central venous cannulation, the left side is to be preferred.
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