Needles Falling Short in Obesity Epidemic

As obesity continues to become more prevalent, new research suggests thatneedles commonly used for intramuscular injections are no longer up to thetask. Posteriors are becoming so thick that standard needles may not reach theproper depth for injection, according to a report in the British MedicalJournal.

Researchers at Jersey General Hospital in the U.K. examined the depth ofsubcutaneous fat at gluteal intramuscular injection sites on 100 consecutiveadults who had computed tomography of thepelvis.

There are two injection sites in the gluteal region, the ventrogluteal siteand the more posterior dorsogluteal site. Measurement of images revealed thatin 12 patients the depth of adipose tissue was >35 mm (1.38 in), which isthe length of needles labeled with green in the U.K., roughly corresponding tothe 1.25-in needles commonly used in the U.S. Twenty-six participants hadadipose tissue >25 mm (0.98 in), which is the length of needles labeledwith blue in the U.K., about the length of 1-in needles used in the U.S. Whenthe dorsogluteal site was measured, 43 patients had >35 mm (1.38 in) ofadipose tissue, and 72 patients had adipose tissue >25 mm (0.98 in)thick.

The results suggest that, in a substantial number of patients, needlesintended for intramuscular injection may not be reaching their target. Eitheranother site should be considered, or longer needles should be used, theauthor concludes.