Epidural techniques - can we improve outcome?

• In epidural studies it has been hard to find evidence supporting the outcome benefits of epidural treatment. A lot of epidurals have a high incidence of postoperative malfunctions. Several technical factors can be behind this. By knowing the relevant anatomy, the epidural insertion can be more optimal. Using saline instead of air as loss of resistance medium, a better working epidural with less morbidity can be achieved. The type of epidural catheter used is also important in order to reduce the frequency of inadequate analgesia. To rule out intravenous or subarachnoid position of the catheter the test dose is still very important. In the near future newly develop techniques may be helpful in recognizing the epidural space/catheter position. Finally, a particularly important aspect is the correct epidural catheter position at the right dermatomal level.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Anestesi och intensivvård (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Anesthesiology and Intensive Care (hsv//eng)

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