Ultrasound Guidance Beats Landmark Technique for Localizing Long Saphenous Vein in Children

The landmark technique failed to identify the long saphenous vein in 73% of intended puncture sites.

In young children, cannulation is commonly attempted at the long saphenous vein (LSV) before central venous sites. Investigators in the U.K. prospectively assessed the accuracy of LSV localization by the anatomical landmark technique in a convenience sample of 40 children aged 6 months to 2 years who underwent elective surgery.

Bilateral LSV sites were marked at the ankles based on an anatomical landmark (anterior to the medial malleolus with the foot in plantar flexion) by either a consultant pediatric anesthetist with more than 5 years' experience (42 sites) or a trainee anesthetist with less than 3 months' experience (37 sites; 1 site was excluded due to prior cannulation). After the sites were marked, the investigators visualized the LSV…

Reviewing Author

Katherine Bakes, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesEmergency Medicine Secrets (Elsevier)

Grant/Research SupportDepartment of Justice

Editorial BoardsEmergency Medicine Secrets (Elsevier); Rosen’s Emergency Medicine (Elsevier)

Katherine Bakes, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesEmergency Medicine Secrets (Elsevier)

Grant/Research SupportDepartment of Justice

Editorial BoardsEmergency Medicine Secrets (Elsevier); Rosen’s Emergency Medicine (Elsevier)