Ultrasonographic evaluation of the femoral vein in anaesthetised infants and young children

Abstract

We investigated the cross-sectional area of the femoral vein and its relationship to the femoral artery at two anatomical levels, in infants and children. Sixty-six subjects were allocated to one of two groups: infants (< 1 year, n = 31) or children (1-6 years, n = 35). After induction of general anaesthesia, the femoral vein was evaluated by ultrasound with the patients' legs at 30° and 60° of abduction and their hips externally rotated. In each position, measurements were taken at the level of the inguinal crease and 1 cm below the crease. Hip rotation with 60° leg abduction decreased femoral artery overlap at the level of the inguinal crease in both infants (p = 0.013) and children (p = 0.003). Thus, the optimal place for femoral vein cannulation in paediatric patients seems to be at the level of the inguinal crease with 60° leg abduction and external hip rotation.