Straight Advancement of Epidural Catheter: Comparative Assessments by Method and Site of Epidural Needle Puncture and Angle of Puncture

摘要

The catheter straight advancement rate for introduction into the epidural space was investigated using a radiopaque catheter. One hundred patients were divided into two groups and underwent thoracic or lumbar epidural punctures, with one of two different puncture methods: the median approach or paramedian approach. Two different angles of epidural puncture needle insertion, 50-60° and 90° to skin surface plane, were used. A catheter was inserted into the epidural space about 5 cm cephalad and the course of the inserted catheter was ascertained by radiography. The results have shown that punctures performed at an insertion angle of 50-60° yielded higher catheter straight advancement rates than those performed at an angle of 90° in both thoracic and lumbar epidural punctures.