To describe an alternative method of measuring the Epidural Waveform Analysis (EWA), a technique through which anesthesiologists can confirm the position of a needle and/or catheter tip in the epidural space. EWA consists of epidural catheter transduction with a pressure system typically used for invasive arterial blood pressure monitoring which generates a characteristic oscillatory waveform (provided the catheter tip is within the epidural space) in synchrony with the pulsatile epidural circulation. The technique requires a double-male connector, a 3-way stopcock and an arterial pressure extension tubing along with the patient’s existing arterial line setup while ensuring a meticulously sterile technique to mitigate the risks of neuraxial infection. The technique described herein has been successfully and routinely applied within our institution to measure EWA with the advantage of being potentially less wasteful. EWA allows anesthesiologists to confirm the correct position of an epidural needle/catheter. We describe a method of successfully measuring EWA while reducing wastefulness.

描述一种测量硬膜外波形分析 (EWA) 的替代方法，麻醉师可以通过该技术确认针头和/或导管尖端在硬膜外腔中的位置。EWA 由硬膜外导管转导和通常用于有创动脉血压监测的压力系统组成，该系统会与脉动硬膜外循环同步产生特征振荡波形（前提是导管尖端位于硬膜外腔内）。该技术需要一个双公连接器、一个三通旋塞阀和一个动脉压力延长管以及患者现有的动脉管路装置，同时确保采用精心无菌的技术来降低椎管内感染的风险。此处描述的技术已在我们的机构内成功且常规地应用于测量 EWA，其优点是可能减少浪费。EWA 允许麻醉师确认硬膜外针头/导管的正确位置。我们描述了一种在减少浪费的同时成功测量 EWA 的方法。