A Study of Superficial Venous Patterns of the Cubital Fossa Among the Iraqi Population

Abstract

Blood can be drawn from the cubital fossa's superficial veins for transfusion, analysis, and intravenous therapy. The superficial veins (basilic vein (BV), cephalic vein (CV), median antebrachial vein (MCV)and median cubital vein (MCcV)), are usually visible through the skin and are anatomically variable. This study aims to identify the variation of superficial venous arrangement in “the cubital fossa”. For about two to three minutes, a tourniquet was placed 10-15 cm proximal to the cubital fossa with strong finger flexion and extension till the veins were revealed for inspection. In the cubital fossa, six different kinds of superficial venous patterns were found. There are two types of pattern categories (majors and miners) for 300 volunteers. The pattern type I, II, and III were the high percentage of total patterns among the Iraqi population, with 83.33% and 82.67% for males & females, respectively. While types IV, V, and VI were the less percentage, 16.67% for males and 17.33% for females. In conclusion, knowing pattern types gives a preliminary indication of educational importance for anatomists during dissections and as clinical importance for surgeons and medical staff (nurses in particular) to avoid the damage that may happen while dealing with this anatomical region.