INTRODUCTIONThe traditional methods of using anatomic landmarks to guide cannulation of the IJV have yielded various rates of successful access and complications. Moreover, central venous catheterization requires considerable expertise. Paul F. Mansfield et al. 1 showed that femoral catheterization had more mechanical complications of arterial puncture and hematoma, and catheter related infections were high and were grossly contaminated in inguinal region. The mechanical complication in subclavian vein catheterisation was severe pneumothorax and was less likely to be tolerated in severe hypoxemic patients necessitating avoidance in them. Pat O. Daily et al. 2 showed that internal jugular vein could easily be identified by anatomical position in the neck, usually positioned in intimate contact, and laterally and anteriorly to the carotid artery. Hence, the essential anatomical landmarks are the sternal and clavicular attachments of sternocleidomastoid muscle and the clavicle forming a triangle with internal jugular vein located in the groove between the two portions of sternocleidomastoid muscle. The specific anatomical relationship between the internal jugular vein and carotid artery has previously been well elucidated by Troinos et al. 3 and others. P J Alderson et al. 4 study revealed that internal jugular vein catheterisation is difficult in morbidly obese patients, in whom the landmarks of the neck are obscured. Also, the insertion of central venous lines is not without hazard and carries the potential for serious complications. The ABSTRACT Background: The traditional methods of using anatomic landmarks to guide cannulation of the IJV have yielded various rates of successful access and complications. Moreover, central venous catheterization requires considerable expertise. Cannulation of the IJV was first described in 1969. Various positions were used to access cannulation but they were frequently associated with complications such as arterial puncture, pneumothorax, neurological damage, infection, dysrhythmias, atrial thrombus, cardiac rupture. Methods: Thirty critical care patients were selected for IJV cannulation either by Land mark technique. This study conducted in department of anaesthesiology and critical care, M. S. Ramaiah medical college, Bangalore. India. Results: In our study there was 83.3% success in LMG technique. The mean access time was 323.23 ± 146.19 sec and the distribution of complications encountered during the study, Carotid artery was accidentally punctured in 1 (3.3%) cases. In LMG technique, there were no cases of arrhythmias, haematoma, pneumothorax, haemothorax, nerve injury and catheter malposition were noted during the study. Conclusion: Land mark technique catheterization of internal jugular vein was shown complications than newly developed ultrasound guided method.