Background:
@EN An entry of needle into the epidural space has been identified by the development of negative pressure to the advancing needle; hanging drop, loss of resistance, or use of Macintosh balloon. But it is suspicious that epidural space is a true
negative pressure space.
@ES Method:
@EN We measured the epidural pressures of pregnant patients in right lateral decubitus (RLD) and sitting position and compared with the values of non-pregnant patients of respective position. 17G Tuohy needle with closed system was used, the
pressure of
which was zeroed to the puncture level at third lumbar intervertebral space.
@ES Result:
@EN Epidural pressures were positive in all subjects. Values of measurement were 13±4mmHg, 15±7mmHg, 16±6mmHg and 25±7mmHg for pregnant-RLD, pregnant-sitting, non-pregnant-RLD, and non-pregnant-sitting group, respectively.
@ES Conclusion:
@EN There was a significant difference between RLD and sitting position in non-pregnant patient only (p<0.05). It is suggested that the hydrostatic pressure of CSF above puncture level and the hydrostatic pressure of valveless epidural venous
plexus
blood influenced the epidural pressure of non-pregnant group in sitting position. But in pregnant group, abdominal mass may have elicited a draining effect on epidural venous plexus during lumbar flexion in sitting position and partially
nullified
the
hydrostatic pressure of CSF and blood. (Korean J Anesthesiol 1996; 30: 466~469)
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