Techniques for identifying the epidural space: a survey of practice amongst anaesthetists in the UK

Summary A postal survey of all UK members of the Obstetric Anaesthetists' Association was carried out to ascertain their preferred method for identifying the epidural space in obstetric and non‐obstetric patients. Over 1200 questionnaires were returned (79.3% response rate). In obstetric patients, the single most common technique (used by 58% of anaesthetists) was continuous advancement of the epidural needle and loss of resistance with saline, followed by intermittent needle advancement with air (21%). A minority of respondents used other variants, including intermittent advancement with saline (16%) and continuous advancement with air (4%). Consultant anaesthetists showed greater variety in techniques used than did trainees (p