Tunneled Dialysis Catheter - General Placement

If a patient requires long term dialysis therapy, a chronic dialysis catheter will be inserted. Chronic catheters contain a dacron cuff that is tunneled beneath the skin approximately 3-8 cm. The tunnel acts as a barrier to infection. A tunneled catheter is placed by puncturing the internal jugular vein in the neck (most often on the right side), and the catheter is then advanced downwards toward the heart. 

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