Flebotomia

Flebotomia is a medical procedure involving the puncture of a vein, typically for the purpose of withdrawing blood. This withdrawal of blood is commonly referred to as phlebotomy or venipuncture. The primary reasons for performing flebotomia include diagnostic testing, therapeutic interventions, and blood donation. For diagnostic purposes, a small sample of blood is collected and sent to a laboratory for analysis to check for various indicators of health or disease. Therapeutic flebotomia, also known as phlebotomy therapy, is a treatment used to remove excess iron from the body in conditions such as hemochromatosis. In the context of blood donation, flebotomia is performed to collect whole blood or specific components of blood for transfusion to patients. The procedure is generally safe when performed by trained healthcare professionals. The most common site for flebotomia is a vein in the antecubital fossa, located in the bend of the elbow, due to its accessibility and prominence. Sterile techniques are employed to minimize the risk of infection. After the venipuncture, a bandage is applied to the site to stop any minor bleeding.