Key result
The quality of spinal landmarks and obvious anatomical deformity better predict the technical difficulty of neuraxial block than body habitus or other factors.
Why the study?
What patient characteristics best predict a difficult neuraxial block?
Population
595 neuraxial (spinal or epidural) blocks
Design
Cohort
Authors
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Spinal landmark assessment may better inform neuraxial planning than habitus; extends prior observations but requires prospective validation.
Observational (n=595)
What patient characteristics best predict a difficult neuraxial block?
Examination of the patient's back for the quality of landmarks and obvious anatomical deformity better predicts the ease or difficulty of neuraxial block than does body habitus.
Šprung et al. (1999) conducted an observational in Neuraxial (spinal or epidural) blockade (n=595). Patient characteristics (quality of landmarks, spinal anatomy, body habitus) was evaluated on Technical difficulty (first-level success and number of attempts). The quality of spinal landmarks and obvious anatomical deformity better predict the technical difficulty of neuraxial block than body habitus or other factors.
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