Objective To systematically evaluate the influence of PICC (peripherally inserted central catheter) ultrasound guidance on success rates and incidences of complications of elbow catheterization. Methods The Cochrane Library (Issue 3, 2012), Library of JBI evidence-based nursing center, MEDLINE, EMbase, CBM, VIP, CNKI and WanFang Data were searched for relevant studies to influence on success rates of puncture and catheterization and complications from upper arm placement of PICC ultrasound guidance as well as conventional PICC placement from inception to March, 2012. The data were extracted according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria by two reviewers, the quality of included studies was also evaluated. Meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.1, or only descriptive analysis was conducted instead. Results Eleven randomized controlled trials, five clinical controlled trials and four cohort studies were included, involving 4 052 patients. The results of meta-analysis showed that, upper arm placement of PICC ultrasound guidance combined with modified Seldinger technique was associated with significantly higher one-time success rates of puncture and catheterization than conventional PICC placement below the elbow, with significant differences (OR=4.71, 95%CI 1.97 to 11.28, P=0.000 5; OR=8.63, 95%CI 1.92 to 38.82, P=0.005). Conventional elbow catheterization had a significantly higher incidence of phlebitis than catheterization on the elbow that under the guidance of PICC ultrasound and modified Seldinger technique (OR=0.13, 95%CI 0.08 to 0.21, Plt;0.000 01). Conclusion Elbow catheterization under the guidance of PICC ultrasound combined with modified Seldinger technique has an obvious advantage in improving the success rates of puncture and catheterization and reducing the incidence of complications, compared with conventional elbow catheterization.