Comparison of Four Dorsogluteal and Ventrogluteal Sites for Safe Intramuscular Injection: A Cross-Sectional Study

• Published in: International journal of caring sciences Vol. 16; no. 2; pp. 840 - 849
• Main Authors: Caliskan, Nurcan, Gulnar, Emel, Inal, Mikail, Erkmen, Selmiu Perihan Komurcu, Bayram, Sule Biyik, Ozveren, Husna
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Nicosia Professor Despina Sapountzi - Krepia Publisher of the International Journal of Caring Sciences 01.05.2023; Professor Despina Sapountzi-Krepia
• Subjects: Blood vessels; Cross-sectional studies; Methods; Nurses; Questionnaires; Ultrasonic imaging
• ISSN: 1791-5201; 1792-037X

Background: There are debates concerning the use of dorsogluteal and ventrogluteal sites for safe intramuscular injection. The ventrogluteal site is the first choice, but sometimes health professionals prefer the dorsogluteal site for intramuscular injection due to such factors as subcutaneous, muscle, and tissue thicknesses, and needle size, which should, therefore, be determined for safe intramuscular injection. Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the subcutaneous, muscle, and total tissue thicknesses of the dorsogluteal (posterior superior iliac spine and the greater trochanter of the femur and anterior superior iliac spine and coccyx) and ventrogluteal (V and G) sites for safe intramuscular injection. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. The sample consisted of 91 voluntary participated. Intramuscular injection sites (dorsogluteal and ventrogluteal) were determined using anthropometric characteristics and four methods. Muscle, subcutaneous, and total tissue thicknesses were measmed using ultrasonography. Results: There was a significant difference in muscle, subcutaneous, and total tissue thicknesses between the dorsogluteal (posterior superior iliac spine and the greater trochanter of the femm and anterior superior iliac spine and coccyx) and ventrogluteal (V and G) (p< .05). Female participants had greater subcutaneous tissue thickness than males. Conclusions: The results show that the ventrogluteal G site is the safest site for injection. If the ventrogluteal site is unsuitable, the dorsogluteal (anterior superior iliac spine and coccyx) site is a safe site for injection in terms of subcutaneous tissue thickness, presence of vessels, and distance to the nerve.