Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Aneurysmal Veins in Free Flaps: A Rare Case Report and Discussion.

Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open·2026
Same author

Maxillofacial, laryngeal and cervical trauma - how can we do better as the first responder? A 3-step approach for pre-emptive diagnosis and early management.

European journal of trauma and emergency surgery : official publication of the European Trauma Society·2026
Same author

Synergistic Triad of Mixed Reality, 3D Printing, and Navigation in Complex Craniomaxillofacial Reconstruction.

Bioengineering (Basel, Switzerland)·2026
Same author

Cross-toe flap from great toe to second toe: a novel reconstructive approach for distal toe salvage.

Case reports in plastic surgery & hand surgery·2026
Same author

Discontinuing routine preoperative electrocardiogram testing in low-risk cataract surgery patients: the EliminECG quality improvement project.

Singapore medical journal·2025
Same author

3D-printed bioresorbable polycaprolactone-tricalcium phosphate implant for mandible reconstruction: A biomechanical in-vivo evaluation.

Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery : JPRAS·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 2, 2026

Basic Surgical Techniques in the Göttingen Minipig: Intubation, Bladder Catheterization, Femoral Vessel Catheterization, and Transcardial Perfusion
13:26

Basic Surgical Techniques in the Göttingen Minipig: Intubation, Bladder Catheterization, Femoral Vessel Catheterization, and Transcardial Perfusion

Published on: June 26, 2011

73.1K

Pen Torch Transillumination: Difficult Venepuncture Made Easy.

Elijah Zhengyang Cai1, Kalarani Sankaran2, Monica Tan3

  • 1Department of Surgery, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore. elijahcai@gmail.com.

World Journal of Surgery
|May 10, 2017
PubMed
Summary

Pen torch transillumination (PTI) significantly improves venepuncture success rates and reduces procedure time for patients with difficult venous access. This cost-effective method is comparable to commercial devices, enhancing patient care, especially in resource-limited settings.

More Related Videos

Upper-extremity Approach for Secondary Access in Transfemoral Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation
06:04

Upper-extremity Approach for Secondary Access in Transfemoral Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

Published on: August 8, 2025

665
Selective Harvesting of Marginating-hepatic Leukocytes
06:53

Selective Harvesting of Marginating-hepatic Leukocytes

Published on: July 21, 2016

6.0K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 2, 2026

Basic Surgical Techniques in the Göttingen Minipig: Intubation, Bladder Catheterization, Femoral Vessel Catheterization, and Transcardial Perfusion
13:26

Basic Surgical Techniques in the Göttingen Minipig: Intubation, Bladder Catheterization, Femoral Vessel Catheterization, and Transcardial Perfusion

Published on: June 26, 2011

73.1K
Upper-extremity Approach for Secondary Access in Transfemoral Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation
06:04

Upper-extremity Approach for Secondary Access in Transfemoral Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

Published on: August 8, 2025

665
Selective Harvesting of Marginating-hepatic Leukocytes
06:53

Selective Harvesting of Marginating-hepatic Leukocytes

Published on: July 21, 2016

6.0K

Area of Science:

  • Medical Devices
  • Vascular Access
  • Minimally Invasive Procedures

Background:

  • Difficult venous access is a common challenge in clinical practice, leading to increased patient discomfort and procedural delays.
  • Conventional venepuncture techniques often fail in patients with poor venous visibility, necessitating alternative visualization methods.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of a novel, low-cost pen torch transillumination (PTI) technique in improving venepuncture success rates and reducing procedure time.
  • To compare the performance of PTI with a commercial transillumination device (Veinlite®) and conventional venepuncture in patients with difficult venous access.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted with 69 adult patients experiencing difficult venous access.
  • Patients were randomized to undergo venepuncture using conventional methods, Veinlite® EMS, or PTI with a Penlite-LP212® device.
  • Key outcome measures included successful cannulation within two attempts and total venepuncture duration.

Main Results:

  • PTI achieved a high success rate (95.7%), comparable to Veinlite® (100%) and significantly higher than controls (30.4%).
  • The mean duration for successful venepuncture was significantly reduced with PTI (8.5 min) and Veinlite® (3.7 min) compared to controls (23.2 min).
  • PTI effectively visualized previously imperceptible superficial veins, allowing for the identification and avoidance of thrombosed/tortuous vessels and valves.

Conclusions:

  • Pen torch transillumination (PTI) is a highly effective and affordable technique for improving venepuncture success in patients with difficult venous access.
  • PTI demonstrates comparable efficacy to the more expensive Veinlite® device, offering a cost-effective alternative, particularly beneficial for healthcare in developing regions.
  • The ease of use and availability of the Penlite-LP212® device make PTI a valuable tool for enhancing patient care and procedural efficiency in vascular access.