Premium
The use of a sound‐enabled device to measure pressure during insertion of an epidural catheter in women in labour
Author(s) -
Lechner T. J. M.,
van Wijk M. G. F.,
Jongenelis A. A. J.,
Rybak M.,
van Niekerk J.,
Langenberg C. J. M.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
anaesthesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.839
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1365-2044
pISSN - 0003-2409
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2044.2011.06696.x
Subject(s) - medicine , epidural space , catheter , anesthesia , pregnancy , surgery , obstetrics , biology , genetics
Summary The insertion of an epidural catheter for labour analgesia may be challenging. This observational study compared pressures during insertion of an epidural catheter in pregnant (n = 35) and non‐pregnant (n = 10) women, using an acoustic device for locating the epidural space that also records and stores pressure data during the procedure. In both groups, we compared the maximum pressure just before loss of resistance, the pressure in the epidural space and the pressure in the inserted epidural catheter. Maximum pressure just before loss of resistance in the pregnant women was significantly lower compared with the non‐pregnant women. Pressures in the epidural space and with the disposable tubing connected to the inserted epidural catheter were greater in pregnant women than in non‐pregnant women. The results support the hypothesis that physiological changes in the third trimester of pregnancy are the reason why epidural catheters are more difficult to insert in women in labour.