A new landmark to locate the cephalic vein in children
Development of a Landmark-formula for Distal Cephalic Vein Localization and Validation Study of Accuracy in Pediatric Patients
This project will test whether a simple spot on the forearm helps parents and clinicians find the cephalic vein in children under 6 so numbing cream (EMLA) can be placed correctly before surgery.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 75 (estimated) |
| Ages | N/A to 5 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University Children's Hospital, Zurich Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | radiation |
| Locations | 1 site (Zurich, Canton of Zurich) |
| Trial ID | NCT07333846 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a prospective, single-center observational validation project that aims to define a reproducible external anatomical landmark for the distal cephalic vein on the forearm in pediatric patients. Ultrasound will be used as the reference standard to confirm vein location and validate the surface landmark. The work will test whether the landmark can be used reliably by anesthesia professionals and by parents using a standardized visual instruction guide. The goal is to enable accurate preprocedural placement of topical local anesthetic (EMLA) and to facilitate subsequent peripheral venous access.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Children under age 6 who are scheduled for elective procedures under general anesthesia via the surgical day clinic and whose parents can give written consent are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Children with an existing intravenous line at the site, forearm skin infections or conditions, a known allergy to EMLA, or those older than 6 years are unlikely to benefit from this landmark method.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could let parents apply numbing cream more accurately and help clinicians find veins faster, reducing needle attempts and distress for children and families.
How similar studies have performed: While ultrasound-guided cannulation of the distal cephalic vein is well established, standardized external landmark methods for preprocedural localization in young children are novel and have not been widely tested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Children under the age of 6 years * Scheduled elective procedure under general anesthesia * Admission via the surgical day clinic * Written informed consent by the parents (and by the child if capable of judgment) Exclusion Criteria: * pre-existing intravenous access at the investigation site * Skin conditions or infections at the forearm site * Known allergy to EMLA or any of its components
Where this trial is running
Zurich, Canton of Zurich
- University Childrens Hospital, Department of Anaesthesia and Children's Research Centre — Zurich, Canton of Zurich, Switzerland (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Alexander R Schmidt, MD
- Email: Alexander.Schmidt@kispi.uzh.ch
- Phone: +41 44 249 49 49
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.