Procedural characteristics of respondents according to clinical experience when performing the fluoroscopic-guided cervical interlaminar epidural block

Variables ≤10-year experience
(n = 91)
>10-year experience
(n = 71)
P value
Informed consent 0.346
Always 46 (50.5) 40 (56.3)
Sometimes 10 (11.0) 11 (15.5)
No 35 (38.5) 20 (28.2)
Patient position 0.001
Lowering arm to body 78 (85.7) 44 (62.0)
Raising arm to head 8 (8.8) 8 (11.3)
Sitting 5 (5.5) 18 (25.4)
Othera 0 (0) 1 (1.4)
Midline gap of LF 0.137
Know 80 (87.9) 68 (95.8)
Do not know 11 (12.1) 3 (4.2)
Detecting epidural space 0.209
LOR with air 18 (19.8) 23 (32.4)
LOR with saline 36 (39.6) 22 (31.0)
LOR with air and saline 30 (33.0) 17 (23.9)
LOR with contrast dye 5 (5.5) 5 (7.0)
Hanging drop method 2 (2.2) 4 (5.6)
LOR technique 0.008
Intermittent 55 (60.4) 56 (78.9)
Continuous pressure 36 (39.6) 14 (19.7)
Both 0 (0) 1 (1.4)
Needle type 0.033
Tuohy 24 gauge 0 (0) 1 (1.4)
Tuohy 22 gauge 46 (50.5) 50 (70.4)
Tuohy 20 gauge 35 (38.5) 15 (21.1)
Tuohy 18 gauge 8 (8.8) 3 (4.2)
Otherb 2 (2.2) 2 (2.8)
Use of epidural catheter 0.362
Yes 22 (24.2) 20 (28.2)
Sometimes 18 (19.8) 19 (26.8)
No 51 (56.0) 32 (45.1)

Values are presented as number (%).

LF: ligamentum flavum, LOR: loss of resistance.

aOther includes the swimmer’s position and the lateral decubitus position. bOther include spinal needles (Quincke) and blunt needles.

Korean J Pain 2024;37:256~263 https://doi.org/10.3344/kjp.24087
© Korean J Pain