Technical note: a quick and simple method of obtaining venous access in traumatic exsanguination.

The procedure described here for rapid venous access is simple, involves minimal dissection, and is highly reliable. Difficulty in defining the saphenous vein in the groin is alleviated by the forceful separation of the subcutaneous tissues, which invariably reveals the vein at the base of the wound. The only materials required are a scalpel, surgical ties, and IV tubing. In cases of traumatic exsanguination surgical residents were able to achieve IV access within a minute or less. The disadvantage of this technique is that it requires a long incision.