From venesection to the Seldinger Technique

Techniques for inserting central venous catheters have evolved steadily over the last century, and today it is a routine procedure in modern anesthetic and intensive care practice.

In earlier times, central venous catheterization entailed a surgical venous incision (venesection). Nowadays, only the puncture of a vein with a needle is required. As the technique has been refined, the risk that patients could suffer serious complications has decreased markedly.