Comparing the Distances of Different Intramuscular Gluteal Injection Sites to the Sciatic Nerve

Introduction: Sciatic nerve injury is a well-known complication of intra-muscular gluteal muscle injections. Affected individuals usually present with foot drop and this results in varying degrees of motor disability. There are different sites such as ventrogluteal, dorsogluteal that can be used for gluteal injections. In last years, the ventrogluteal site is accepted as a more safe and suitable injection site than dorsogluteal site. This study was carried out to compare the distance to the siatic nerve under the piriformis muscle of these different gluteal injection sites. The study also aimed to evaluate the muscle thicknesses at these injection sites. Materials and Methods: Twenty five participants with BMI<22 were recruited from outpatient clinic that were prescribed intramuscular treatment. Firstly, by an experienced nurse the dorsogluteal and ventrogluteal injection points have been marked.  By using a linear array probe (7–12 MHz Logiq P5a) the distances of both the dorsogluteal and ventrogluteal sites to the siatic nerve just under the piriformis muscle have been measured. Later on the muscle thickness at these sites were measured. Result: The mean distances between the dorsogluteal and ventrogluteal injection points to the siatic nerve under the piriformis muscle are consecutively 9±2.3cm and 18±3.5 cm. No statistical difference has been found between the muscle thickness of the ventrogluteal and dorsogluteal injections sites (p<0.01).Conclusion: According to the distance to sciatic nerve, the ventrogluteal injection site seems a more advisable and safe injection point.