Comparison of Epidural Pressure in Pregnant Group with That of Non pregnant Group.
10.4097/kjae.1996.30.4.466
- Author:
Jin Kyoung KIM
1
;
Yun CHOI
;
Hong KO
Author Information
1. Department of Anesthesiology, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Anatomy;
epidural space;
Position;
lateral;
sitting;
Pregnancy
- MeSH:
Epidural Space;
Humans;
Hydrostatic Pressure;
Needles;
Pregnancy;
Punctures
- From:Korean Journal of Anesthesiology
1996;30(4):466-469
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: An entry of needle into the epidural space has been identified by the development of negative pressure to the advancing needle; hanging drop, loss of resistance, or use of Macintosh balloon. But it is suspicious that epidural space is a true negative pressure space. METHODS: We measured the epidural pressures of pregnant patients in right lateral decubitus (RLD) and sitting position and compared with the values of non-pregnant patients of respective position. 17G Tuohy needle with closed system was used, the pressure of which was zeroed to the puncture level at third lumbar intervertebral space. RESULTS: Epidural pressures were positive in all subjects. Values of measurement were 13+/-4mmHg, 15+/-7mmHg, 16+/-6mmHg and 25+/-7mmHg for pregnant-RLD, pregnant-sitting, non-pregnant-RLD, and non-pregnant-sitting group, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant difference between RLD and sitting position in non-pregnant patient only (p<0.05). It is suggested that the hydrostatic pressure of CSF above puncture level and the hydrostatic pressure of valveless epidural venous plexus blood influenced the epidural pressure of non-pregnant group in sitting position. But in pregnant group, abdominal mass may have elicited a draining effect on epidural venous plexus during lumbar flexion in sitting position and partially nullified the hydrostatic pressure of CSF and blood.
