ObjectiveTo systematically review the effectiveness and safety of anatomic landmarks positioning method (ALM) and real-time two-dimensional ultrasound (RTUS) guidance in the internal jugular vein cannulation. MethodsWe searched PubMed, EMbase, Web of Knowledge, CBM, WanFang Data and CNKI for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) concerning the effectiveness and safety of ALM and RTUS in the internal jugular vein catheterization up to May 1st, 2014. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data, and assess methodological quality of included studies. Then meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software. ResultsA total of 10 RCTs involving 1 973 cases were included in the metaanalysis. The results of meta-analysis showed that, compared with the ALM method, the RTUS method reduced puncture failure rate (OR=0.08, 95%CI 0.05 to 0.15, P<0.000 01). For safety, compared with the ALM method, the RTUS method was significantly lower in arterial injury rate (peto-OR=0.22, 95%CI 0.14 to 0.37, P<0.000 01), and the incidence of pneumothorax (peto-OR=0.13, 95%CI 0.04 to 0.40, P=0.000 3). ConclusionCompared to the ALM method, the RTUS method has characteristics such as causing fewer traumas, and having higher success rate and fewer complications. Due to limited quantity and quality of the included studies, the above conclusion still needs to be verified by conducting more studies.