Predicting the Difficult Neuraxial Block: A Prospective Study
Anesth Analg 1999 89: 384.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
Implications: We studied a number of factors, including equipment, technique, and patient characteristics, that may indicate the ease or difficulty of performing neuraxial (spinal and epidural) blocks. Of these factors, only patient characteristics had significant predictive value. We found that an 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.