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

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.