Comparative Study of the Localisation of the Epidural Space Using Epidural Balloon Technique versus Saline Filled Syringe Technique – A Prospective, Randomised Study

Abstract

Background and aims:The success of epidural anaesthesia begins with proper identification of epidural space. There are different techniques used for identification of the epidural space. In this study we compare the localisation of epidural space using epidural balloon technique versus normal saline filled syringe technique .Method: 200 adult patents of ASA I &II status posted for elective lower abdominal and lower limb surgery were randomly allocated in two groups of 100 each. After taking consent and IV access epidural anaesthesia was given to the patients. In group I epidural space was localised by epidural balloon technique while in group II epidural space was located by normal saline filled syringe technique using the loss of resistance method. The parameters studied were time taken for epidural space localisation, the number of attempts,the ease of passing the epidural catheter after localisation, success or failure rate of the localisation of the epidural space by resident anaesthesiologistsand the incidence of complications if any.Student unpaired ‘t’ test and chi square test were used for statistical analysis. Results:90% cases from group I(epidural balloon group) had localisation of epidural space in first attempt which was significantly more as compared to 78% in group II(saline filled syringe group). Mean duration of procedure in group I was 20.74 seconds which was significantly less as compared to 43.54 seconds in group II. 12% of cases from group II had complications during the procedure which was significantly more as compared to none from group I. Conclusion: For epidural space localisation epidural balloon technique is better than saline filled syringe technique in terms of number of attempts, mean duration of procedure, incidence of complications and ease of technique.