Preprocedural ultrasonography as an adjunct to landmark technique for identification of epidural space in parturients for labor analgesia :Midathala N Jayanth, Shiny P Arumulla, Pravallika Kesana, Krishna C Kandukuru, Hariprasad Reddy Basireddy, Shreevani Peddi, Saudi Journal of Anaesthesia

ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Year : 2023 | Volume : 17 | Issue : 1 | Page : 18--22

Preprocedural ultrasonography as an adjunct to landmark technique for identification of epidural space in parturients for labor analgesia

Midathala N Jayanth, Shiny P Arumulla, Pravallika Kesana, Krishna C Kandukuru, Hariprasad Reddy Basireddy, Shreevani Peddi
Department of Anaesthesiology, Narayana Medical College Hospital, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India

Correspondence Address:
Shiny P Arumulla
Department of Anaesthesiology, Quarters 172 J Block Staff Quarters, Narayana Medical College, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh – 524 003
India

Background: Pregnancy-induced softening of tissues and ligaments may increase the false-positive rates when identifying the epidural space in parturients by the landmark technique. To mitigate these problems, Ultrasonography (USG), which has now become the eye of anesthesiologists, can be used as a reliable tool to facilitate more accurate epidural needle placement in parturients. This study was conducted to know the efficacy of USG when compared to the traditional landmark method. Methods: After the approval from the institutional ethics committee and CTRI registration, 62 parturients of ASA-2 requesting labor analgesia were randomized into 2 groups of 31 each: Group-L (conventional landmark technique) and Group-U (preprocedural USG done before epidural). In group-U, Tuohy's needle was introduced through the USG predetermined insertion point and epidural space was located using the LOR technique. Results: USG increased the success rate of epidural at first attempt from 51.6% in group “L” to 87% in group “U.” Fewer needle attempts (P-value - 0.001) were required in group “U” as compared to group “L.” No accidental dural puncture in group-U, compared to 2 in group-L. Mean Depth of epidural space (cm) ultrasound depth (UD) = 3.89 ± 0.45 cm and needle depth (ND) = 4.05 ± 0.37 cm. Side effects profile in the ultrasound group was better. Conclusion: Preprocedural ultrasonography is a simple safe,accurate tool with less number of attempts to determine the needle insertion site, decrease the incidence of accidental dural punctures, and assess epidural space depth in parturients.

How to cite this article:
Jayanth MN, Arumulla SP, Kesana P, Kandukuru KC, Basireddy HR, Peddi S. Preprocedural ultrasonography as an adjunct to landmark technique for identification of epidural space in parturients for labor analgesia.Saudi J Anaesth 2023;17:18-22

How to cite this URL:
Jayanth MN, Arumulla SP, Kesana P, Kandukuru KC, Basireddy HR, Peddi S. Preprocedural ultrasonography as an adjunct to landmark technique for identification of epidural space in parturients for labor analgesia. Saudi J Anaesth [serial online] 2023 [cited 2023 Apr 1 ];17:18-22
Available from: https://www.saudija.org/article.asp?issn=1658-354X;year=2023;volume=17;issue=1;spage=18;epage=22;aulast=Jayanth;type=0