Internal Jugular Vein Identification and Catheter Exit Site Preparation

To begin, place the anesthetized swine on the operating table. In the ventral field, make a four-centimeter incision between the trachea and the medial border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Divide the platysma and dissect the connective tissue to expose the internal jugular vein, or IJV, on the lateral border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle.

Then isolate three to four centimeters of the IJV by dividing its branches with 4.0 coated and braided non-absorbable suture ties. Circumferentially dissect away from the surrounding connective tissue. At the cranial end of the IJV, pass a coated and braided non-absorbable suture tie twice underneath the vessel to create a loop around it.

At the coddle end, pass a suture tie once underneath the vessel to create a sling. For catheter exit site preparation. Reposition the swine via lateral tilt toward the non-surgical side to expose the ipsilateral dorsal surgical field.

Once the limbs are resecured, with a number 10 blade scalpel, make a 0.5 centimeter puncture in the skin at the desired catheter exit site, three centimeters lateral to the vertebral column, and five centimeter coddle to the head.