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

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.