Teaching practices of thoracic epidural catheterizations in different grade of anesthesia

Background and objectives: In this study, we aimed to clarify the importance of residency grade and other factors which in”uence the success of thoracic epidural catheterization in thoracotomy patients. Methods: After the ethical committee approval, data were recorded retrospectively from the charts of 415 patients. All patients had given written informed consent. The thoracic epidural catheterization attempts were divided into two groups as second---third year (Group I) and fourth year (Group II) according to residency grade. We retrospectively collected demographic data, characteristics of thoracic epidural catheterization attempts, and all dif“culties and complications during thoracic epidural catheterization. Results: Overall success rate of thoracic epidural catheterization was similar between the groups. Levels of catheter placement, number and duration of thoracic epidural catheterization attempts were not different between the groups (p > 0.05). Change of needle insertion level was statistically higher in Group II (p = 0.008), whereas paresthesia was signi“cantly higher in Group I (p = 0.007). Dural puncture and postdural puncture headache rates were higher in Group I. Higher body mass index and level of the insertion site were signi“cant factors for thoracic epidural catheterization failure and postoperative complication rate and those were independence from residents’ experience (p < 0.001, 0.005).