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Revista Brasileira de Anestesiologia
Print version ISSN 0034-7094
HELAYEL, Pablo Escovedo et al. Evaluating the depth of the epidural space with the use of ultrasound. Rev. Bras. Anestesiol. [online]. 2010, vol.60, n.4, pp. 379-382. ISSN 0034-7094. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0034-70942010000400004.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the use of the ultrasound on the determination of the depth of the epidural space. METHODS: Sixty patients were included in this prospective study; the L3-L4 space was initially identified by palpation followed by the ultrasound measuring the depth of the epidural space (PU). After the epidural puncture the measurements o the depth (PA) were recorded. The data underwent descriptive statistics, and the concordance correlation coefficient and Bland-Altman analysis, with 95% confidence interval were calculated. RESULTS: Analysis of concordance between the palpation and ultrasound methods was 86.6%. Mean values of PU obtained were 4.97 ± 0.51 cm and PA 4.97 ± 0.71 cm, and Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.66 while Bland-Altman analysis revealed a mean difference of 0.0035 ± 0.53 cm with 95% confidence interval between -0.228 and 0.221. CONCLUSIONS: The ultrasound is a precise tool to determine the depth of the epidural space.
Keywords : ANESTHETIC TECHNIQUES, Regional [epidural]; EQUIPMENT, Ultrasound; METHODOLOGY [validation studies].