Variability of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve: An anatomic basis for planning safe surgical approaches.

Current surgical assumptions identify the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) running just under the inguinal ligament two fingerbreadths medial to the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS). On the basis of the increasing incidence of Meralgia Paresthetica associated with various surgical procedures, it is clear that surgeons are relying on an inadequate description of the nerve's course. This study provides a better understanding of the variability of the LFCN with regards to its relationship to the ASIS and the depth at which it passes deep to the inguinal ligament.

Intravenous access in the critically ill trauma patient: a multicentered, prospective, randomized trial of saphenous cutdown and percutaneous femoral access.

Study Objective: To compare the speed of IV access and the rate of infusion for saphenous venous cutdown and percutaneous femoral catheterization.

Design: Prospective, randomized, multicentered trial. Patient enrollment occurred from September 1990 through September 1991.