Abstract
We aimed to evaluate the methods for identifying gluteal intramuscular injection sites by comparing the distributions of the sites identified by the segmental (1/4, 1/3), Clark and Hochstetter methods, and the interoperator variability of these methods.
Relative to the sites identified by Clark's method, those identified by the segmental (1/4, 1/3) method were distributed in the more dorsal area, while those by Hochstetter's method were in the more caudal area. Sites identified by the segmental (1/4, 1/3) method were not only in the most dorsal area, but were also broadly distributed in a dorsoventral direction due to considerable interoperator variability. These findings suggest that the segmental (1/4, 1/3) method is associated with the risk of interfering with the sciatic nerve territory. The sites identified by Hochstetter's method tended to vary in a cephalocaudal direction and were attributed to differences in hand size among operators.
The sites identified by Clark's method were tightly distributed in the ventral side with little interoperator variability, suggesting that this method is more likely to avoid damage to nerves and blood vessels. However, because there are some difficulties determining the appropriate site using Clark's method, finding a method that allows for easy and simple identification of a gluteal intramuscular injection site remains on the agenda for future research.
