Vein marking through ultrasound coupling gel

Area of Science:

• Vascular Surgery
• Medical Imaging
• Surgical Preparation

Background:

• Preoperative marking of the long saphenous vein via duplex scanning is standard practice before vein bypass grafting.
• Ultrasound coupling gel used during scanning presents a challenge for durable skin marking.
• Effective marking is crucial for accurate surgical planning and execution.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the durability of commonly available skin markers when applied over ultrasound coupling gel.
• To identify the most effective skin markers for preoperative vein mapping in vascular surgery.

Main Methods:

• Eleven different marking pens were tested for their ability to mark skin through ultrasound coupling gel.
• Marks were assessed by two independent observers after gel removal and skin cleansing with antiseptic solution.
• Pens were ranked based on the persistence and visibility of the marks.

Main Results:

• "Pilot Super Color Marker", "Artline 70", and "Edding 3020 Surgical Skin Marker" demonstrated superior performance.
• These recommended markers provided durable and visible markings on the skin.
• The marks remained visible even after the standard surgical preparation process.

Conclusions:

• "Pilot Super Color Marker", "Artline 70", and "Edding 3020 Surgical Skin Marker" are recommended for preoperative vein mapping.
• These markers ensure reliable and persistent marking of veins during duplex scanning, even with ultrasound gel.
• Successful preoperative marking enhances the precision of in situ and reversed vein bypass grafting procedures.