The reliability of site determination methods in ventrogluteal area injection: A cross-sectional study

BackgroundWhile administering medication through intramuscular injection, the ventrogluteal site must be used instead of the dorsogluteal site, and it is of great significance to locate the ventrogluteal site correctly.ObjectiveTo determine the reliability of two different methods used to determine the ventrogluteal site in intramuscular injection practice.DesignA cross-sectional study.SettingsA university hospital in Istanbul.ParticipantsThe study population comprised 120 randomly selected healthcare personnel at a university hospital.MethodsThe ventrogluteal site was determined using the geometric (G method) and V method and these sites were scrutinized under ultrasonography. It was investigated whether there was any anatomic vessels or neural structure present, and also determined the thickness of subcutaneous tissue, musculus gluteus medius, and musculus gluteus minimus.ResultsOf the participants, 65.8% were female and the average age was 32.30 years and body mass index was 25.31 kg/m2. The results showed that G and V methods were statistically significant in terms of variables. It was also found that sex affects subcutaneous tissue thickness and the skin-bone margin in the G and V method, and that body mass index determines subcutaneous tissue, musculus gluteus medius thickness and skin-bone margin.ConclusionWhen the ventrogluteal site is used for intramuscular injection purposes, the site must be determined in line with the geometric method.