Femoral vein cannulation

The landmarks for the cannulation of the femoral vein are identified. The patient is placed in a frog-leg position with the hip externally rotated and abducted. The femoral vein is located by feeling for the femoral pulse. The vein is found medial to the pulse. In the patient without a pulse, the vein can be approximately located midway between the pubic symphysis and the anterior superior iliac spine, distal to the inguinal ligament.