The E pisure A utodetect syringe, a loss‐of‐resistance technique for locating the epidural space, used in pediatric patients

• Published in: Pediatric anesthesia Vol. 23; no. 8; pp. 747 - 750
• Main Authors: Tielens, Luc K. P., Bruhn, Jörgen, Vogt, Mark, van Geffen, Geert‐Jan, Scheffer, Gert Jan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.08.2013
• ISSN: 1155-5645; 1460-9592
• DOI: 10.1111/pan.12211

Summary Introduction The E pisure A utodetect syringe, a spring‐loaded syringe, is a loss‐of‐resistance syringe with an internal compression that applies constant pressure on the plunger. As the principle of loss‐of‐resistance is the same for adult and for pediatric patients, the E pisure A utodetect syringe should be able to identify correctly the epidural space also in pediatric patients. Methods A retrospective review was carried out for all pediatric patients, in which the E pisure A utodetect syringe was used for locating the epidural space between 2007 and 2011 in our department. Results In 17 pediatric patients (9 months–14 years, 7.5–43 kg weight), the E pisure syringe was used. In all 17 patients, the epidural space was correctly identified using the spring‐loaded syringe as evidenced by satisfactory analgesia. No accidental dural punctures or false loss‐of‐resistances were observed. Conclusion The spring‐loaded E pisure A utodetect syringe might be a potentially useful loss‐of‐resistance syringe for identification of the epidural space in pediatric patients.