The femoral veins can be used as a venipuncture site alternative sites are lacking.
The femoral vein is accessed:
(1) usually in an emergency situation
(2) when usual sites have failed or are inaccessible
(3) there is insufficient to arrange an alternative access method (such as a PICC line)
The femoral vein is medial to the femoral artery in the femoral triangle. Access is usually within the 2 cm below the inguinal ligament.
Methods:
(1) vacutainer (preferred)
(2) butterfly or needle with syringe
(3) cutdown
Enhancing techniques:
(1) external leg rotation (which reduces arterial and venous overlap)
(2) Valsalva maneuver
(3) ultrasonography to locate the vein and artery
Complications:
(1) hemorrhage, especially after femoral artery puncture
(2) infection
(3) nerve injury
(4) arteriovenous fistula
