Evaluation of the Efficacy of a Novel Dermatotomy Device for Central Venous Cannulation.

• The dermatotomy incision is an important aspect of central venous cannulation. • A novel wire-guided scalpel was effective in creating a precise dermatotomy incision for central venous cannulation. To test the effectiveness of a novel wire-guided scalpel (Guideblade) to create a precise dermatotomy incision for central venous catheter (CVC) insertion. Prospective, nonrandomized interventional study. Stanford University, single-center teaching hospital. Cardiac and vascular surgical patients (n = 100) with planned CVC insertion for operation. A wire-guided scalpel was used during CVC insertion. A total of 188 CVCs were performed successfully with a wire-guided scalpel without the need for additional equipment in 100 patients, and 94% of CVCs were accomplished with only a single dermatotomy attempt. "No bleeding" or "minimal bleeding" at the insertion site was observed in 90% of patients 30 minutes after insertion and 80.7% at the conclusion of surgery. The wire-guided scalpel was effective in performing dermatotomy for CVC with a 100% success rate and a very high first-attempt rate. The wire-guided scalpel may decrease bleeding at the CVC insertion site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]