MedTrace Logo

A New Landmark-formula for Cephalic Vein in Children

NCT07333846 · Status: RECRUITING · Type: OBSERVATIONAL · Enrollment: 75

Last updated 2026-01-29

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

In children undergoing surgery, a venous access line almost always has to be placed. Through this line, medications and fluids can be administered during anesthesia or later during the hospital stay. In young children, it is often difficult to find a suitable vein. This can lead to multiple puncture attempts and may be a traumatic experience for both children and their parents. With ultrasound, however, in such difficult cases a specific vein on the forearm (the "cephalic vein") can usually be visualized and cannulated. Mostly, this vein is not visible to the naked eye.

In our research project, we aim to determine whether it is possible to identify a simple and reliable anatomical orientation aid ("landmark") on the forearm that enables parents to place a topical anesthetic EMLA patch precisely at the correct location where the vein can subsequently be found using ultrasound. In this way, we want to assess whether this method simplifies the preparation for venipuncture and thereby increases the success rate. The examination is carried out during the routine preparation for anesthesia.

In a first step, the course of the vein is identified by ultrasound, marked on the skin in a controlled manner, and photographic documentation of the forearm region is created. From this, a visual orientation guide describing the landmark is developed. In a second step, parents and staff of the anesthesia department mark the defined landmark using this visual orientation guide. Ultrasound is then used again to verify whether the vein is located at the marked site. No additional needle puncture is performed and no additional blood sample is taken.

Conditions

  • Venipuncture
  • Ultrasound
  • Difficult Intravenous Access in Pediatrics
  • Pediatric Anesthesia

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Alexander Schmidt

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Alexander R Schmidt, MD · University Children's Hospital, Zurich

Eligibility

Max Age
5 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2026-01-06
Primary Completion
2026-05-31
Completion
2027-05-31

Countries

  • Switzerland

Study Locations

More Related Trials

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07333846 on ClinicalTrials.gov