Abdominal girth has a strong correlation with ultrasound-estimated epidural depth in parturients: a prospective observational study

Abstract

Background

Preprocedural ultrasound examination of vertebral column guides to locate desired intervertebral space and provides a prevision of needle trajectory and estimated needle depth in parturients. The objective of this study was to assess the correlation between ultrasound-estimated epidural depth (ED) with abdominal girth (AG), body mass index (BMI), weight, height, and age.

Methods

In this prospective, observational study, ultrasound imaging was done at L3–4 interspace in transverse median plane (TP) and paramedian sagittal oblique plane (PSO) to obtain ultrasound estimates of skin to epidural space depth. Combined spinal epidural anesthesia was performed at L3–4 interspace. AG, BMI, age, height, and weight were recorded for every parturient.

Results

Data from 130 parturients were analyzed. Estimated ED was 56.5 ± 9.5 mm in TP, 57.5 ± 9.3 mm in PSO, and actual epidural depth was 57.9 ± 9.4 mm. Correlation coefficients between ED and AG were 0.797 in TP (95% CI 0.727–0.854, p < 0.001) and 0.803 in PSO (95% CI 0.733–0.857, p < 0.001). Correlation coefficients between ED and BMI were 0.543 in TP (95% CI 0.405–0.661, p < 0.001) and 0.566 in PSO (95% CI 0.428–0.680, p < 0.001). Correlation coefficients between ED and weight were 0.593 in TP (CI = 0.466–0.695, p < 0.001) and 0.615 in PSO (CI = 0.500–0.716, p < 0.001). Height and age had no significant correlation with ED.

Conclusions

Abdominal girth has a strong correlation with ultrasound-estimated epidural depth in parturients.

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