To compare the frequency of first attempt successful ultrasound guided radial artery cannulation by modified short axis out-of-plane technique versus conventional long axis in-plane technique.

Objective: To compare the frequency of first attempt successful ultrasound guided radial artery cannulation by modified short axis out-of-plane technique versus conventional long axis in-plane technique. Study Design: Quasi Experimental Study Setting: Jinnah Hospital, Lahore. Study Period: 1st January 2019 to 30th June 2019. Material & Methods: 180 patients fulfilling the selection criteria were divided in two groups using lottery method. Group modified SA-OOP (short axis out-of-plane) and group LA-IP (long axis in-plane). Modified Allen test was performed in all patients, if positive, procedure was carried out. In modified short axis out of plane approach, a suture was tied on the midpoint of ultrasound probe and perpendicular to the long axis as a guide and then radial artery was viewed by placing US probe on the wrist of patient transversely. The needle was inserted at 30⁰-45⁰ angle into the skin. In long Axis In- Plane approach, radial artery was first viewed by placing US probe transversely on the wrist of patient and then probe was rotated to 90⁰ in clockwise direction to see the artery in longitudinal plane. Then cannula was inserted at 30⁰-45⁰ angle into the skin. Success of first attempt was recorded. Results: The age range was 18-70 years. Mean age of the patients was 46.69 ± 17.35 and 43.68 ± 17.99 years in group LA-IP and SA-OOP, respectively (4). In group LA-IP, 57 patients (63.3%) were male and in group SA-OOP 45 patients (50%) were male while 33 patients (36.7%) of group LA-IP and 45 patients (50%) of group SA-OOP were female. Frequency of first attempt was 64.4% (58 patients) in group LA-IP and in group SA-OOP frequency of first attempt was 53.3% (48 patients). Statistically significant difference was not seen between two groups as p-value is 0.172. Conclusion: There is no difference in frequency of first attempt success in modified short axis out-of-plane ultrasound versus conventional long axis in-plane ultrasound to guide radial artery cannulation.