J Korean Acad Nurs.  2010 Apr;40(2):247-254. 10.4040/jkan.2010.40.2.247.

Gluteal Subcutaneous Fat Thickness Measured by Computed Tomography as an Estimate of Proper Gluteal Intramuscular Injections in Korean Adults

• Joo G
• Sohng KY

• KMID: 987602
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2010.40.2.247

Abstract

PURPOSE
To study the thickness of gluteal subcutaneous fat (SCF) and propose an adequate length for needle for gluteal intramuscular injections based on computed tomography (CT) measurements.
METHODS
The thickness of gluteal SCF were measured and studied for 568 patients who visited a tertiary hospital in Seoul, Korea between January 2007 and February 2009 for routine health screening and who had abdominopelvic CT.
RESULTS
The average thickness of gluteal SCF was 15.92+/-4.08 mm in males and 24.90+/-5.47 mm in females. The thickness of gluteal SCF differed significantly according to gender. The gluteal SCF thickness was greater than 20.4 mm for 54 (12.3%) of the 440 male patients and 99 (77.3%) of the 128 female patients.
CONCLUSION
The most common syringe needle used for gluteal intramuscular injections in Korea is a 23 G, 25.4 mm-needle. The SCF thickness must be less than 20.4 mm in order to reach the dorsogluteal muscles to a depth of at least 5 mm if this 25.4 mm needle is used. In many patients, especially in female patients, the 25.4 mm needles will result in improper intramuscular injections with the injection being into the SCF. Therefore an appropriate needle should be selected by considering the gender and SCF thickness of patients receiving gluteal intramuscular injections.

Keyword

Injections; Intramuscular; Needles; Subcutaneous fat

MeSH Terms

Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Buttocks
Female
Humans
*Injections, Intramuscular
Male
Middle Aged
Needles
Republic of Korea
Sex Factors
*Skinfold Thickness
Subcutaneous Fat/*radiography
Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Figure

• 

  Figure 1 CT image demonstrating the location of landmarks for gluteal fat measurement.

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