Anatomical relationship between the omohyoid muscle and the internal jugular vein on ultrasound guidance

Abstract Background: Internal jugular vein catheterization is widely used in clinical practice, and there are many related studies on internal jugular vein catheterization. However, the omohyoid muscle, which is adjacent to the internal jugular vein, is a rarely mentioned muscle of the superficial subhyoid muscle group. The purpose of this study is to explore the anatomical relationship between the omohyoid muscle and the internal jugular vein on ultrasound guidance and provide a theoretical reference for jugular puncture and catheterization.Methods: The study included 30 volunteers who were placed in the supine position at head tilt angles of 30°, 45° and 60° angles measured from the top of the head to the left side of the bed. A high-frequency ultrasound probe (6-14 Hz) was used to examine the plane of the sternocleidomastoid triangle (PST), which is formed by the sternocleidomastoid bone and the clavicular head. The upper edge of the clavicle and plane of the lateral sternocleidomastoid margin (PSL) to the right omohyoid muscle (OM) and the right internal jugular vein (IJV) were observed and recorded for statistical analysis.Results: There were statistically significant differences in the number of overlapping cases of OM and IJV at each body angle between the PST and PSL groups. There were statistically significant differences between the OM and IJV centre point angles and the left horizontal position of the PST and PSL at different body angles.Conclusion: The traditional middle route puncture point is the apex of the sternocleidomastoid triangle, which can effectively avoid injury to the omohyoid muscle, to an extent.Trial registration: ChiCTR2000034233. Registered 29 /06/2020.