WHAT IS YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF SPINAL AND EPIDURAL ATTEMPT?

Abstract

Background: The practice of spinal and epidural anaesthesia is well established the world over for a number of years. Sighting of spinal or epidural is conducted through various approaches at various levels of the spinal column. The number of attempts has its correlation with the post-spinal and epidural complications.Aim: The aim is to gather information about the understanding among the anaesthetists about the spinal/epidural attempt.Materials and Methods: A pro forma comprising of nine closed-loop questions was distributed to all the participants in the study, and they were requested to fill it anonymously and placed it back in a designated sealed box in anaesthetic office.Results: A total of 20 pro formas were distributed, and all of them received back with 100% responses. All the participants accepted universally that attempting through another space makes it a second attempt. One of the respondents thought any backward movement means 2nd attempt, the majority of the responders thought it does not count as an attempt. Almost everyone considered another attempt if a needle is completely withdrawn and enters through another puncture site whether through a midline or paramedian approach.Conclusion: Most of the complications after neuraxial blockade are associated with the number of attempts alongside other factors that may play a role. A universal definition of a spinal and epidural attempt may decrease the complications associated with the central neuraxial blockade.Key words: Epidural, single attempt, spinal