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Comparison between the hanging-droptechnique and the running-drip method for

identification of the epidural space in dogs

RESEARCH · SEPTEMBER 2015

DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.1.2378.1600

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2 AUTHORS:

Fernando Martinez-Taboada

University of Sydney9 PUBLICATIONS  53 CITATIONS 

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José Ignacio Redondo

University CEU Cardenal Herrera40 PUBLICATIONS  94 CITATIONS 

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Available from: Fernando Martinez-Taboada

Retrieved on: 05 November 2015

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Comparison between the hanging-drop technique and the running-drip method foridentification of the epidural space in dogs.F Martinez-Taboada1 & JI Redondo2 

1North Downs Specialist Referrals, The Friesian Building 3 & 4, Brewer Street,

Bletchingley, Surrey, UK. 2 Departamento de Medicina y Cirugía Animal, Facultad deVeterinaria, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera,

Valencia, Spain. 

The aim of this study was to compare the running-drip method (RDi) (Baraka 1972), a

simple technique never used in animals, with the hanging drop (HDo) technique in dogs insternal (S) and lateral (L) recumbency.

Forty-four healthy dogs requiring epidural blocks as part of a standardized balanced

anaesthetic plan were randomised into four groups. The same person performed all the

blocks using Tuohy needles with a fluid-prefilled hub when advancing through the

ligamentum flavum (HDo) or connecting a drip-set elevating 60 cm the drip fluid level fromthe spinous or the tranverse processes (RDi). The number of attempts, the “pop” 

sensation, clear drop aspiration or fluid dripping, the time-to-locate-the-epidural-space(TTLES) and the presence of CSF were recorded. When the identification was successfula bupivacaine-morphine combination was injected. The success of the block was

assessed by experienced observers, unaware of the method used, based on usage ofrescue analgesia (intraoperative fentanyl in response to cardiovascular changes, andpostoperative methadone in response to pain scores). Data was checked for normality.

Binomial variables were analyzed with the Chi-square or Fisher "s exact test when

appropriated. The scores of ordinal variables were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis and

the Mann-Whitney tests (p<0.05).

There were no differences between groups except for LHDo which required more

attempts (6 of 11 dogs required >1 attempt) than SRDi (0/11) (p=0.0062) and the drop-

aspiration was more often observed in SHDo (9/11) than in LHDo (2/11) (p=0.045).

TTLES was lower (p=0.006) in SHDo (20 (14-79) sec) than in LHDo (47 (18-82) sec).

There were no differences between the other groups. No differences were found in rescue

analgesia or pain scores.

In conclusion, RDi is an easy, useful and fast technique to identify the epidural space indogs. The LHDo was the most difficult technique requiring more time and attempts.

Baraka A. (1972). Identification of the peridural space by a running infusion drip. British

Journal of Anaesthesia 44, 122 – 122.