Cutaneous complications associated with intraosseous access placement: A retrospective cohort study

Purpose: Intraosseous (IO) access can provide a lifesaving means of vascular access in emergency settings. Insertion sites include the tibia, humerus, and sternum. IO access allows the administration of large volumes of fluids, vasopressors, blood products and other medications at flow rates of up to 125 mL/min using a 15 or 18 gauge needle. An additional benefit of IO access is the rare incidence of complications, with many recent studies revealing rates of <1%. The most common cited complications include compartment syndrome, osteomyelitis, traumatic bone fracture, and epiphyseal plate damage.