This study confirms that distance to the epidural space from the skin at the L3–4 interspace is only moderately correlated with body mass index in obstetric patients.
A similar moderate linear correlation was found in the non-obstetric patients. However, in obese patients (BMI>25), distance to epidural space from the skin correlated poorly with body mass index.
HarrisonG.R., ClowesN.W.B.The depth of the lumbar epidural space from the skin.Anaesthesia1985; 40: 685–687.
2.
PalmerS.K., AbramS.E., MaitraA.M., Von ColditzJ.M.Distance from the skin to the lumbar epidural space in an obstetric population.Anesth Analg1983; 62: 944–6.
3.
UptonP.M., CarrieL., ReynoldsK.Epidural insertion: how far should the epidural needle be inserted before testing for loss of resistance?Int J Obstet Anesth1992; 1: 71–3.
4.
NeterJ., WassermanW., KutnerM.H.Applied linear statistical models.2nd Ed.Homewood Il, Irwin1985.
5.
WilkinsonL.Systat: The system for statistics. Il; Systat1990.