Ewha Med J.  1996 Dec;19(4):521-525. 10.12771/emj.1996.19.4.521.

The Effect of Pregnancy and Posture on the Distance from Skin to Epidural Space

• Chung RK

• KMID: 1964743
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12771/emj.1996.19.4.521

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
This study was performed to assess the factor affecting the distance from skinto epidural space.
METHODS
The distance from the skin to epidural space(DSES) was measured in 105 patients who received lumbar epidural anesthesia. The relationship between patient factors [age, weight, height, body mass index(BMI : weight/height2), pregnancy] and technical factor(posture) versus DSES was investigated using multiple regression analysis.
RESULTS
The mean DSES was 4.5+/-0.7cm. DSES correlated positively with weight and BMI in non-obstetrics(including male), and BMI in obstetrics. But, DSES did not correlated with posture.
CONCLUSION
The patient's weight and BMI in non-obstetrics and BMI in obstetrics but posture during epidural needle placement are important factors influencing DSES.

Keyword

Epidural space; Obstetric; Posture

MeSH Terms

Anesthesia, Epidural
Body Height
Epidural Space*
Humans
Needles
Obstetrics
Posture*
Pregnancy*
Regression Analysis
Skin*