Abstract
To clarify subcutaneous tissue thickness at injection sites and analyze needle length required for intramuscular injection skills. Subcutaneous tissue thickness was measured at injection sites on gluteus medius and deltoid muscles using ultrasonography. Height, weight and body fat were measured along with subcutaneous tissue thickness at injection sites on deltoid muscle and back of the upper arm using skinfold calipers. Correlations between various measurements were analyzed. Subjects comprised 174 male and 156 female. Significant correlations were found between male and female (p＜.01), 18-64 years and ≥65 years (p＜.01, p＜.05) for the gluteus medius. Mean thickness at the deltoid was 0.59 ± 0.18 cm in male and 0.71±0.23 cm in female. Mean thickness at the ventrogluteal site was 0.79±0.31 cm in male 18-64 years, 0.58±0.28 in male ≥65 years, 1.05±0.41 cm in female 18-64 years, and 0.76±0.29 cm in female ≥65 years. Mean thickness at Clark' s site was 0.85±0.34 cm in male 18-64 years, 0.63±0.25 cm in male ≥65 years, 1.16±0.42 cm in female 18-64 years, and 0.92±0.43 cm in female ≥65 years. Mean thickness at upper quadrant of buttocks point was 1.05±0.43 cm in male 18-64 years, 0.68±0.30 cm in male ≥65 years, 1.41±0.48 cm in female 18-64 years, and 1.20±0.68 cm in female ≥65 years. Significant correlations were found between subcutaneous tissue thickness at injection sites on deltoid muscle by ultrasonography and subcutaneous tissue thickness at injection sites on deltoid muscle and at the back of the upper arm by skinfold caliper. Regression formula using these data were determined. Subcutaneous tissue thickness for intramuscular injection can be assessed using regression formulae.
