Applicability of calf subcutaneous tissue to subcutaneous injection in young adults.

AIM: The aim of the study is to provide usage of subcutaneous tissue of lateral calf area (region of M. Gastrocnemius) in addition to the existing injection regions and to compare tissue thicknesses of the lateral upper arm, anterior and lateral thigh, anterior abdomen regions and calf regions.

BACKGROUND: Subcutaneous injection (SC) is an application of 0.5cc drug with an injection (No. 25 and 8-15-18mm long) to the connective tissue under the skin. Individuals to which SC injection is frequently applied, should rotate the injection areas.

METHODS: This research uses the descriptive method. One hundred and sixty-one students (aged; 20.09±2.268) were used as test subjects. Demographic data was obtained from the students who agreed to participate in the research. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated. Skin thickness measured using the Holtain Skinfold Caliper. SPSS 20 package software was used for statistical analysis of the data. For comparison of the tissue thicknesses between genders, the t-test was used for independent groups. In order to determine the interactions between anthropometric measurements within each other and other numerical measurements (age, length. BMI, etc.). Pearson Correlation coefficient and related P value was performed. Statistical P value is taken as 0.05.

RESULTS: Consideration of subcutaneous injection applicability of the calf region depended on the injector lengths: 8mm, 15mm and 18mm, 86.3%, 59.6% and 47.8% of the population, respectively were found applicable for this region.

CONCLUSIONS: The calf region could be recommended as SC injection region with an 8mm injector. According to the findings it can be said that the calf region of female genders is more applicable than male genders for SC injection. Calf region could be proposed as anticoagulation treatment.