The intraosseous access allows to obtain rapidly a route that can be used as a peripheral venous route (i.e.: fluid therapy, blood transfusions, and infusions of peripherally compatible solutions) for a period of time not exceeding 12-24hrs.
The advantages of intraosseous access are reliability, extreme rapidity, and the possibility of a successful insertion even in the hands of a clinician with minimal training.
Its disadvantages are the high cost, the short duration of the line, the limited availability of the device, and the lack of confidence of the operator in the installation maneuver, which is perceived as traumatic or dangerous.
The ideal indication of intraosseous access - in terms of safety and cost-effectiveness - is certainly within the sphere of extra-hospital pediatric emergencies. There are still no convincing studies that demonstrate its superiority over other methods (such as ultrasound-guided venous access) in the pediatric intra-hospital setting or in the pediatric emergency room, with the obvious exception being the simultaneous arrival of numerous children serious or traumatized ('mass casualties').