Comparing applications of intramuscular injections to dorsogluteal or ventrogluteal regions

Intramuscular injection is a method used for drug delivery to large muscle mass. Muscles are supplied by more veins than the subcutaneous tissues. Therefore, after intramuscular injection, drug absorption is faster than in subcutaneous tissues. However, there are many risks associated with intramuscular injection. In order to reduce these risks, the anatomical structure of the treated area should be well known and the region selection must be very well. The dorsogluteal region is commonly used for intramuscular injections. This area is close to blood vessels and nerves. Also the subcutaneous tissue of this region is thicker than the subcutaneous tissue of the other regions. For these reasons, it is the most dangerous region. The majority of health personnel accept that dorsogluteal region is the most reliable for intramuscular injections. However, intramuscular injections to the ventrogluteal region have advantages in many ways. The ventrogluteal region has been recognized as a primary intramuscular injection region. It was reported that a lot of health staff is not aware of the advantages of ventrogluteal region. This review was organized with the aim to compare reasons for the preference of dorsogluteal and ventrogluteal regions and to explain the basis of evidence. Articles related to selection of injection site, patient position and complications were reviewed and assessed. The reasons for preference of dorsogluteal and ventrogluteal regions were compared. Since intramuscular injection an important duty of medical personnel, it is expected that this review will be useful to update their knowledge on this issue.