Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 12, 2026
06:39
Through-the-Wall Blood Sampling Method to Minimize Sleep Disruption in Clinical Settings
Published on: June 13, 2025
[The intern's vein--the patient's nightmare?].
Gunnvald Kvarstein1, Ellen Jørum
1Anestesi- og intensivklinikken, Oslo universitetssykehus, Rikshospitalet, Postboks 4950 Nydalen, 0424 Oslo, Norway. gunnvald.kvarstein@medisin.uio.no
Summary
Cannulating the cephalic vein can lead to radial nerve injury, causing chronic pain in some patients. Medical trainees should avoid this vein for practice unless necessary.
Area of Science:
- Vascular surgery
- Neurology
- Medical education
Background:
- Vascular access is crucial in medicine, yet the relationship between blood vessels and nerves is poorly understood.
- Cannulation of superficial veins is common, but potential neurological complications are not widely recognized.
Observation:
- Two cases illustrate potential consequences of cannulating the cephalic vein and radial artery.
- Patients experienced clinical symptoms and neurological deficits indicative of radial nerve injury.
Findings:
- Radial nerve injury occurred following cephalic vein cannulation.
- One patient developed chronic, disabling neuropathic pain, while the other had a better prognosis.
Implications:
- The distal cephalic vein is not recommended for routine training of inexperienced students.
- Use of the distal cephalic vein should be reserved for patients lacking alternatives or in acute resuscitation scenarios.
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