Circulation
Skills 8:
Saphenous
Vein Cutdown
- The saphenous vein is a large, tough-walled vessel located just
anterior to the medial malleolus of the ankle. Make a transverse
incision over the vein
and use a mosquito forcep to free it up from surrounding tissue.
- Tie the vein off distally using a 000 silk tie.
- Incise the vein by stabbing it from the side with a #11 blade as
shown.
- Insert the guidewire of a straight introducer (such as a 7 French
RIC catheter, Arrow International).
- Advance the introducer with its dilator in the vein using the distal
tie for counter-traction.
- Place another silk tie proximally around the vein and the catheter.
- Then suture the catheter to the skin and close the incision with
skin staples.
Edition 13-October 2011
