The Measurement of Distance from Skin to the Epidural Space in Parturients.
10.4097/kjae.1993.26.2.299
- Author:
Ae Ra KIM
1
;
Jae Kyu CHEUN
;
Sung Koo CHOI
;
Jung In BAE
Author Information
1. Department of Anesthesiology, Keimyung University School of Medicine, Taegu, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Epidural analgesia;
Labor pain;
Epidural depth
- MeSH:
Analgesia, Epidural;
Epidural Space*;
Female;
Humans;
Labor Pain;
Needles;
Pregnancy;
Skin*
- From:Korean Journal of Anesthesiology
1993;26(2):299-302
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Lumber epidural analgesia is a well established method of providing pain relief during labor. Placement of a needle in the epidural space is probably one of the more tephnically demanding procedures which are performed by anesthesiologists. Two-hundred-thirty-four women receiving epidural analgesia during labor were studied. The distance from skin to the epidural space was measured with Portex disposable epidural needle marked at 1 cm intervals. The mean distance was found to be 4.18 cm. There was no correlation between distance from skin to the epidural space and height, hut was signifieant correlation with weight(p<0.001). The epidural depths were identified most frequently at 3 to 4 cm deep and 84.2% of total cases were less than 5 cm deep. This study suggests that, if the epidural space has not been identified within a depth of 6 cm, redirection or reinsertion of the needle should be considered.
