Effects of reverse Trendelenburg position and inguinal compression on femoral vein cross-sectional area in infants and young children

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of the reverse Trendelenburg position and additional inguinal compression on the cross-sectional area of the femoral vein in paediatric patients. Seventy subjects were allocated to two groups: the infants group and the children group. Cross-sectional area of the femoral vein was measured just below the inguinal ligament using ultrasound. Three measurements were obtained for each patient: (i) supine, (ii) reverse Trendelenburg position and (iii) reverse Trendelenburg position with inguinal compression. In the infants group, femoral vein cross-sectional area increased by a mean (SD) of 21.1 (15.2) % in the reverse Trendelenburg position and by 60.7 (30.8) % in the reverse Trendelenburg position with inguinal compression; whereas in the children group, femoral vein cross-sectional area increased by 24.7 (15.8) % in the reverse Trendelenburg position and by 100.3 (50.7) % in the reverse Trendelenburg position with inguinal compression. Inguinal compression in the reverse Trendelenburg position offers a useful means of increasing femoral vein cross-sectional area in paediatric patients.