Advertisement!
Author Information Pack
Editorial Board
Submit article
Special Issue
Editor's selection process
Join as Reviewer/Editor
List of Reviewer
Indexing Information
Most popular articles
Purchase Single Articles
Archive
Free Online Access
Current Issue
Recommend this journal to your library
Advertiser
Accepted Articles
Search Articles
Email Alerts
FAQ
Contact Us
Indian Journal of Anesthesia and Analgesia

Volume  4, Issue 4, Oct-Dec 2017, Pages 1176-1179
 

Original Article

An Evaluation of Depth of Epidural Space by Ultrasound in Thoracic Epidural via Paramedian Approach

Kashinath K. Jadhav1, Prema K. Joshi2

1Assistant Professor 2Associate Professor, Dept. of Anaesthesia, A.C.P.M. Medical College, Dhule, Maharashtra 424002, India.

Choose an option to locate / access this Article:
90 days Access
Check if you have access through your login credentials.        PDF      |
|

Open Access: View PDF

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21088/ijaa.2349.8471.4417.42

Abstract

The insertion of the epidural catheter at the thoracic spine is technically more difficult and can cause neurological complications. The ultrasound prepuncture knowledge of the distance from the skin to the extradural space and a preview of the spinal anatomy may facilitate the procedure. Hence the aim of our study was to evaluate the accuracy of ultrasound in prediction of the depth for thoracic epidural insertion using paramedian approach. Aims and Objectives: To compare the depth of thoracic epidural space as measured by US compared to the actual depth of space by loss of resistance. Material Method: Thirty four patients, age  20 years undergoing any major surgery, requiring thoracic epidural for intraoperative and postoperative pain relief belonging to ASA 1-4 status were selected. The approval of research ethical committee of the institution was obtained. The written informed consent of patients were taken after explaining the procedure and the aim of the study in detail. The thoracic spine of these patients were scanned preoperatively with ultrasound in sitting position. The probe was placed vertically in the paramedian plane and the skin epidural depth was noted. After infiltrating the skin with 3 ml of 2% lignocaine, puncture was done. The actual depth of the space by loss of resistance was noted.The analysis of the data was done using paired ‘t test’, pearson correlation co-efficient and Bland- Altman analysis. Result: Both techniques differ in their measurements. Conclusion: Pre-puncture ultrasonography does not provide accurate assessment of depth of thoracic epidural space.


Keywords : Depth; Epidural Space; Paramedian Approach; Thoracic; Ultrasound Guided. 
Corresponding Author : Kashinath K. Jadhav, Dept. of Anaesthesia, A.C.P.M. Medical College, Dhule, Dept. of Anaesthesia, A.C.P.M. Medical College, Dhule, Maharashtra 424002, India.