Key result
The Episure AutoDetect syringe significantly reduced the time to identify the epidural space by 8-10 seconds compared to a glass syringe, though this difference may lack clinical significance.
Why the study?
Episure AutoDetect syringe offers subjective and objective confirmation of the epidural space, but its performance compared to a glass syringe in lower thoracic epidurals needed evaluation.
Does the Episure AutoDetect syringe reduce the time to locate the epidural space in patients requiring lower thoracic epidural analgesia compared to a glass syringe?
RCT (n=40)
Open-label
Computer software
No
Does the Episure AutoDetect syringe reduce the time to locate the epidural space in patients requiring lower thoracic epidural analgesia compared to a glass syringe?
Effect estimate: 8-10 seconds faster
p-value: p=statistically significant
The Episure AutoDetect syringe allows for reliable and slightly quicker identification of the epidural space in lower thoracic epidurals compared to a glass syringe, though the time difference is minimal.
Time savings unlikely to alter practice; leaves open whether device improves outcomes in larger trials.
Episure & AutoDetect syringe (EAS), a spring-loaded syringe, is a new loss-of-resistance syringe used to identify epidural space. It has an advantage of subjective and objective confirmation in identifying epidural space over glass syringe (GS) for beginners. We compared the performance of EAS with that of GS for identifying epidural space in lower thoracic epidurals. Methods: A total of 40 American Society of Anesthesiolgists I-II patients aged 18-60 years requiring lower thoracic epidural analgesia for surgery were randomised into Group I (EAS): Epidural identified using EAS and Group II (GS) epidural identified with GS. Patient demographic data, depth to epidural space (cm) was noted Results: There were no differences in patient demographics or depth to the epidural space between the two groups. When epidural was identified in fewer attempts, the time needed to identify epidural space was quicker with EAS . Conclusion: Using EAS allowed reliable and quick identification of the epidural space in lower thoracic epidural technique as compared to use of glass syringe.
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Fathima KSMB (2020) conducted an RCT in Patients requiring lower thoracic epidural analgesia (n=40). Episure AutoDetect syringe vs. Glass syringe was evaluated on Time to identify epidural space (8-10 seconds faster, p=statistically significant). The Episure AutoDetect syringe significantly reduced the time to identify the epidural space by 8-10 seconds compared to a glass syringe, though this difference may lack clinical significance.
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