Assessment of morphological variations in superficial veins of upper limb with or without artificial discoloration of skin using Near-Infrared Illumination device in adults (Hyderabad region).

Objective Venous puncture is the process of obtaining intravenous access to get blood samples. Superficial veins of Upper-Limb, mainly dorsal metacarpal veins and median cubital veins are the commonest site for access. In order to get acquaintance about anatomic variation to perform safe venous puncture, the main objective of this study was to examine the variations in superficial veins of upper limb by using Near-Infrared Illumination Device. Methods A sample size of 50 participants (100 records of both limbs) has been documented. Staff and students of LUMHS of both genders; with the age ranging from 18-60 years, were included in the study. Tourniquet/ Blood Pressure monitor cuff application was applied to visualize superficial cubital veins. Another technique of Near-infrared illumination device (sure view vein illumination system ZD-JM-260-01) was applied to observe superficial veins of hand dorsum in adults with and without Hinna (Mehndi) causing artificial discoloration of skin. Results The Study results showed that 46(92.0%) of the total participants reported Type A right arm cubital fossa. 47(94.0%) reported Type A left cubital fossa. 15(30.0%) of the male participants had Type 6 Right hand dorsum venous arrangement. Likewise, 5(10.0%) of the female participants had Type 6 right hand dorsum venous arrangement. 14(28.0%) male participants had Type 6 Left hand dorsum venous arrangement. Similarly, 7(14.0%) males had Type 2, and 13(26.0%) males had Type 3 left hand dorsum venous arrangements. Likewise, 5(10.0%) of the female participants had Type 3 left hand dorsum venous arrangement. Moreover, 03 adult females presented with Henna (Mehndi) already applied on dorsum of hands and superficial veins were as visible as in rest of subjects without application of Henna (Mehndi). Conclusion Type-A was observed most frequently in venous arrangement in cubital fossa of both left and right arms of the participants, while Type 6 was the most generally observed type in hand dorsum of both right and left arms. Moreover. Artificial discoloration of skin caused by Henna (Mehndi) did not seem to effect the visibility of vein structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]