Impact of surgical technique and analgesia on clinical outcomes after lung transplantation: A STROBE-compliant cohort study.

There is paucity of data on the impact of surgical incision and analgesia on relevant outcomes.A retrospective STROBE-compliant cohort study was performed between July 2007 and August 2017 of patients undergoing lung transplantation. Gender, age, indication for lung transplantation, and the 3 types of surgical access (Thoracotomy (T), Sternotomy (S), and Clamshell (C)) were used, as well as 2 analgesic techniques: epidural and intravenous opioids. Outcome variables were: pain scores; postoperative hemorrhage in the first 24 hours, duration of mechanical ventilation, and length of stay at intensive care unit (ICU).Three hundred forty-one patients were identified. Thoracotomy was associated with higher pain scores than Sternotomy (OR 1.66, 95% CI: 1.01; 2.74, P: .045) and no differences were found between Clamshell and Sternotomy incision. The median blood loss was 800 mL [interquartile range (IQR): 500; 1238], thoracotomy patients had 500 mL [325; 818] (P < .001). Median durations of mechanical ventilation in Thoracotomy, Sternotomy, and Clamshell groups were 19 [11; 37] hours, 34 [IQR 16; 57.5] hours, and 27 [IQR 15; 50.5] hours respectively. Thoracotomy group were discharged earlier from ICU (P < .001).Thoracotomy access produces less postoperative hemorrhage, duration of mechanical ventilation, and lower length of stay in ICU, but higher pain scores and need for epidural analgesia.

Practical recommendations in the obstetrical patient with a COVID-19 infection. / Recomendaciones prácticas en la paciente obstétrica con infección por COVID-19.

COVID-19 infection also affects obstetric patients. Regular obstetric care has continued despite the pandemic. Case series of obstetric patients have been published. Neuroaxial techniques appear to be safe and it is important to obtain the highest possible rate of success of the blocks before a cesarean section. For this reason, it is recommended that the blocks be carried out by senior anesthesiologists. The protection and safety of professionals is a key point and in case of general anesthesia, so it is also recommended to call to the most expert anesthesiologist. Seriously ill patients should be recognized quickly and early, in order to provide them with the appropriate treatment as soon as possible. Susceptibility to thrombosis makes prophylactic anticoagulation a priority.

Safety guideline: neurological monitoring associated with obstetric neuraxial block 2020: A joint guideline by the Association of Anaesthetists and the Obstetric Anaesthetists' Association.

Serious neurological lesions such as vertebral canal haematoma are rare after obstetric regional analgesia/anaesthesia, but early detection may be crucial to avoid permanent damage. This may be hampered by the variable and sometimes prolonged recovery following 'normal' neuraxial block, such that an underlying lesion may easily be missed. These guidelines make recommendations for the monitoring of recovery from obstetric neuraxial block, and escalation should recovery be delayed or new symptoms develop, with the aim of preventing serious neurological morbidity.

Comparison of the Analgesic Effect of Ropivacaine with Fentanyl and Ropivacaine Alone in Continuous Epidural Infusion for Acute Herpes Zoster Management: A Retrospective Study.

Background and Objectives: Currently, few studies have reported the effects of opioids during continuous epidural infusion (CEI) to control pain owing to herpes zoster (HZ). This study aimed to retrospectively compare the effectiveness of epidural opioids in the treatment of acute HZ pain. Materials and Methods: We reviewed medical records of 105 patients who were divided into two groups: R group (CEI with ropivacaine) and RF group (CEI with ropivacaine and fentanyl). Clinical efficacy was evaluated using the numeric rating scale (NRS) score for 6 months after the procedures. We compared the percentage of patients with complete remission in each group. We investigated the complication rates during CEI. Results: No significant differences in the NRS scores were observed between the two groups in the 6-month period. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) for patients included in the complete remission was 0.6 times lower in the RF group than in the R group (95% confidence interval: 0.22-1.71, p = 0.35). The OR for complications during CEI was higher in the RF group than in the R group. However, the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusions: No difference was observed in the management of HZ pain and the prevention of postherpetic neuralgia between the two groups. The incidence of complications tended to be higher in the RF group than in the R group.

Bilateral Thoracic Paravertebral Blocks Compared to Thoracic Epidural Analgesia After Midline Laparotomy: A Pragmatic Noninferiority Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Bilateral paravertebral block (PVB) is a suitable alternative to thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) for abdominal surgeries. This randomized clinical trial aims to determine if PVB is noninferior to TEA in terms of analgesia after midline laparotomy. METHODS: Seventy American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class I-III patients undergoing a laparotomy through a midline incision were randomized to receive either TEA (TEA group) or continuous bilateral PVB (PVB group) as a part of a multimodal analgesia regimen in an open-label design. Noninferiority was to be concluded if the mean between-group difference in pain on movement at the 24 postoperative hours was within a margin of 2 points on a 0-10 numerical rating scale (NRS). Pain score at rest and on movement, analgesic consumption, hemodynamics, and adverse events during the first 72 postoperative hours were the secondary outcome measures assessed for superiority. Postblock and steady-state plasma concentrations of ropivacaine and pattern of dye spread were also recorded in the PVB group. RESULTS: The primary outcome of pain scores on movement at 24 postoperative hours was noninferior in PVB group in comparison to TEA group (mean difference [95% confidence interval {CI}], 0.43 [-0.72-1.58]). The pain scores at rest and on movement at other time points of assessment were within clinically acceptable limits in both groups with no significant differences between the groups over time. Arterial plasma ropivacaine levels were within safe limits, while steady-state venous level was higher than an acceptable threshold in 9 of 34 cases. CONCLUSIONS: As a component of multimodal analgesia, bilateral PVB provides noninferior analgesia compared to TEA for midline laparotomy.

Management of the second stage of labour in women with epidural analgesia: A qualitative study exploring Midwives' experiences in Northern Italy.

OBJECTIVE: To explore midwives' experiences of the management of the second stage of labour in women with epidural analgesia. DESIGN: Descriptive qualitative study using semi-structured face-to-face interviews. PARTICIPANTS: Purposive sample of twelve midwives working in three Obstetric Units. Among them six were senior midwives with more than five years' experience on labour ward and six were junior midwives with less than five years' experience on labour ward. FINDINGS: The findings included four themes: a) timing of second stage of labour and maternal pushing; b) maternal positions and mobility; c) perspectives on epidural boluses; d) midwifery presence and support. The time 'allowed' by midwives for the passive phase of the second stage of labour ranged from zero to two hours, with some of them avoiding vaginal examinations to delay the recorded starting time of active pushing. The semi-sitting and the lithotomy positions were the most used respectively in labour and at birth. Some midwives encouraged the kneeling position or the lateral position. Regarding the management of the epidural bolus during the second stage of labour, the interviewees' opinions were divided between favourable and unfavourable to the administration of analgesic boluses after the full cervical dilatation. Midwives reported their experiences of providing different care to women with epidural analgesia when compared to women without epidural, mainly due to a more medicalised approach and the midwives' sense of 'usefulness' when caring for women not experiencing labour pain. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: To our knowledge, this was the first study on this topic conducted in an Italian setting. Despite the consistent body of evidence on the effects of epidural analgesia in the second stage on birth outcomes, the lack of clear guidelines, the presence of different hospital protocols and Obstetricians' opinion, introduce uncertainty in midwifery practice and lead midwives with feelings of 'uselessness'. Across the four themes, midwives frequently had to negotiate a space for their professional autonomy with other healthcare professionals, whilst adhering to the Obstetric Units' protocols. An influencing factor on the care provided to women with epidural was the years of midwife's experience on labour ward. Further research and the development of comprehensive midwifery care guidelines on the management of the second stage of labour in women with an epidural analgesia appears essential.

Epidural Analgesia and Back Pain after Labor.

Background and Objectives: The aim of this survey was to assess the impact of epidural analgesia on post-partum back pain in post-partum women. Materials and Methods: The questionnaire was completed by post-partum women during the first days after delivery. Six months later, the women were surveyed again. The response rate was 70.66%, a total of 212 cases were included in the statistical analysis. The statistical analysis of the data was conducted using SPSS® Results. Seventy-nine (37.26%) women received epidural analgesia, 87 (41.04%) intravenous drugs, and 46 (21.7%) women gave birth without anesthesia. The prevalence of post-partum back pain was observed in 24 (30.38%) women of the epidural analgesia group, in 24 (27.58%) subjects of the intravenous anesthesia group, and in 14 (30.43%) women attributed to the group of subjects without anesthesia. The correlation between post-partum back pain and the type of anesthesia was not statistically significant (p = 0.907). Six months later, the prevalence of back pain was found in 31.65% of women belonging to the epidural analgesia group, in 28.74% of women with intravenous anesthesia, and in 23.91% of women without anesthesia. The correlation between complaints of back pain six months after delivery and the type of anesthesia applied was not statistically significant (p = 0.654). Conclusions. The labor pain relief technique did not trigger the increased risk of back pain in the early post-partum period and six months after delivery.

Effect of Peanut Ball and Position Changes in Women Laboring With an Epidural.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of a nurse-driven intervention using a peanut ball (PB) with position changes on length of labor and incidence of cesarean birth among women who receive epidural anesthesia. DESIGN: Quasiexperimental comparison group design. SETTING/LOCAL PROBLEM: A 407-bed, nonprofit, Magnet-designated, Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative-designated hospital with 8 labor and delivery suites and an average of 100 births per month. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 343 participants were included, with 164 women in the PB group. INTERVENTION/MEASUREMENTS: The PB was placed after epidural administration; women were repositioned a minimum of every 1 to 2 hours, and the PB was removed at second stage of labor; duration was recorded. RESULTS: Overall, women in the PB group were 50% less likely to have cesarean birth. For women with cervical dilation of 4 cm or less, rates of vaginal birth were 61% with use of the peanut ball. A multivariate analysis of outcomes was used. A multiple linear regression model showed, after adjusting for other variables, that PB placement alone did not shorten labor length (p = .4684). However, a stratified analysis indicated that for women with cervical dilation of 4 cm or less, length of the first stage of labor was affected by parity (p = .0042) and frequency of position change (p < .001). For women with cervical dilation greater than 4 cm, length of the first stage of labor was influenced by frequency of position changes (p = .0130) and effacement (p = .0050). Length of the second state of labor was affected by the frequency of position change (p = .0416). CONCLUSION: The PB may be an effective intervention to reduce the incidence of cesarean birth. Changing position frequently was associated with reduced length of first and second stages of labor.

Impact of epidural on labor duration and vacuum deliveries in twin gestations.

INTRODUCTION: Epidural analgesia may lead to a prolonged second stage, and increased instrumental vaginal deliveries rate in singleton gestations. We aimed to examine the association between epidural and vacuum deliveries rate and second stage duration among twin deliveries. METHODS: Retrospective study conducted at a single teaching hospital on data between January 1995 and December 2015. All twin pregnancies, >24 weeks that had a trial of labor were included. Twins with major malformations, intrauterine death, or had a caesarean delivery without a trial of labor, were excluded. Women were divided to those who had an epidural analgesia (group 1) and those who did not (group 2). Primary outcome was vacuum delivery rate. RESULTS: Of all 1955 twin pregnancies delivered during the study period, 827 (42.3%) were eligible and included; 332 (40.1%) in group 1 and 495 (59.9%) in group 2. Vacuum delivery rate of any twin was 7.5% and 6.3% in groups 1 and 2, respectively (p = 0.48; Relative Risk 1.20; 95% Confidence Interval: 0.72-2.0). Vacuum delivery rate of first twin only or second twin only did not differ significantly as well. After adjusting for variables that differed significantly between the groups in univariate analysis, second stage duration of first and second twins in group 1 was significantly longer than in group 2 (p = 0.001; ratio=1.66; 95% Confidence Interval: 1.42-1.94 and p = 0.001; ratio=1.40; 95% Confidence Interval: 1.24-1.58, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Epidural use in twin deliveries did not affect vacuum deliveries rate. Epidural was associated with a prolonged second stage of both twins.

Epidural test dose in obstetric patients: should we still use it?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: As the application of a test dose after epidural catheter insertion in obstetrics has recurrently been associated with serious adverse events affecting both maternal and foetal outcomes, the question whether to test or not remains a controversial issue. RECENT FINDINGS: Present guidelines do not provide clear recommendations in this regard and several recent surveys indicate a heterogeneity in clinical routine. SUMMARY: Physiological alterations during pregnancy and labour restrict the use and also the validity of traditional test agents. Epinephrine is not appropriate to detect a vascular insertion in labour and the application of a local anaesthetic test dose may lead to dose-dependent fatal consequences should the catheter be intrathecal, due to an increased sensitivity in parturients. Given the current practice of opioid-amended-low-concentration epidurals, the waiving of a test dose results at worst in a failed epidural, a stark contrast to the potentially severe to fatal complications of a 'traditional' test dose. Hence, an originally preventive measure providing potentially more harm than the consequences of the situation aimed to prevent, should not be recommended. A simple fractionated administration of the initial analgesic dose seems reasonable though.

Relation between Epidural Analgesia and severe perineal laceration in childbearing women in Catalonia.

OBJECTIVE: Our objectives were to study the association between epidural analgesia and risk of severe perineal laceration (SPL), and identify additional risk factors for SPL. This multicentre study consisted of an analysis of data from the MidconBirth Phase I Database, on the use of EA and perineal results during childbirth. (World Health Organization, International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, 2016: http://apps.who.int/trialsearch/Trial2.aspx?TrialID=ISRCTN17833269). METHODS: We conducted a prospective study of pregnant women at term between July 2016 and July 2017 in 30 public maternity hospitals in Catalonia, Spain. Inclusion criteria were an uncomplicated singleton pregnancy, in cephalic presentation and vaginal birth. Data was analysed separately for instrumental births and spontaneous vaginal births, as the former is more frequently associated with episiotomy and more perineal lacerations. Risk factors as well as protective factors in each cohort of women (instrumental and spontaneous vaginal birth), were identified. Multivariate logistic regression model was performed to study the association between epidural analgesia and SPL to identify potential confounders. Odds ratios (OR), using 95% confidence intervals (CI) were constructed. FINDINGS: During the study period, 5497 eligible women gave birth, 77.46% of them received epidural analgesia. SPL occurred in 1.63% of births. The univariate analysis showed births with epidural analgesia had significantly higher rates of inductions, augmentation of labour, lithotomy position for birth and episiotomy. However, this association disappeared when the variable "type of vaginal birth" was introduced. In multivariate logistic regression, nulliparity was the major predictor for SPL (OR: 0.17; CI 95%: 0.08-0.34, p: 0.000). KEY CONCLUSIONS: Epidural analgesia was not associated with SPL once confounding factors were included. Other interesting factors associated with SPL were identified. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This paper identifies important practice areas which contribute to SPL and which have the potential to be rectified. It offers evidence on the role that EA plays on pelvic floor injuries and it adds to existing evidence about the disadvantages of using the lithotomy position for birth, especially in relation to SPL. It highlights the need for practice change in Catalonia from what can be considered a medical model of care to one more aligned with the midwifery philosophy of care through the development of clinical guidelines. It also signals the need to provide women with evidence base upon which to make informed choices on the use of EA, specifically in relation to SPL.

Development and validation of a predictive risk factor model for epidural re-siting in women undergoing labour epidural analgesia: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Epidural catheter re-siting in parturients receiving labour epidural analgesia is distressing to the parturient and places them at increased complications from a repeat procedure. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a clinical risk factor model to predict the incidence of epidural catheter re-siting in labour analgesia. METHODS: The data from parturients that received labour epidural analgesia in our centre during 2014-2015 was used to develop a predictive model for epidural catheter re-siting during labour analgesia. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors that were predictive of epidural catheter re-siting. The forward, backward and stepwise variable selection methods were applied to build a predictive model, which was internally validated. The final multivariate model was externally validated with the data collected from 10,170 parturients during 2012-2013 in our centre. RESULTS: Ninety-three (0.88%) parturients in 2014-2015 required re-siting of their epidural catheter. The training data set included 7439 paturients in 2014-2015. A higher incidence of breakthrough pain (OR = 4.42), increasing age (OR = 1.07), an increased pain score post-epidural catheter insertion (OR = 1.35) and problems such as inability to obtain cerebrospinal fluid in combined spinal epidural technique (OR = 2.06) and venous puncture (OR = 1.70) were found to be significantly predictive of epidural catheter re-siting, while spontaneous onset of labour (OR = 0.31) was found to be protective. The predictive model was validated internally on a further 3189 paturients from the data of 2014-2015 and externally on 10,170 paturients from the data of 2012-2013. Predictive accuracy of the model based on C-statistic were 0.89 (0.86, 0.93) and 0.92 (0.88, 0.97) for training and internal validation data respectively. Similarly, predictive accuracy in terms of C-statistic was 0.89 (0.86, 0.92) based on 2012-2013 data. CONCLUSION: Our predictive model of epidural re-siting in parturients receiving labour epidural analgesia could provide timely identification of high-risk paturients required epidural re-siting.

The Accuracy of a Handheld Ultrasound Device for Neuraxial Depth and Landmark Assessment: A Prospective Cohort Trial.

This study investigated the accuracy of a wireless handheld ultrasound with pattern recognition software that recognizes lumbar spine bony landmarks and measures depth to epidural space (Accuro, Rivanna Medical, Charlottesville, VA) (AU). AU measurements to epidural space were compared to Tuohy needle depth to epidural space (depth to loss of resistance at epidural placement). Data from 47 women requesting labor epidural analgesia were analyzed. The mean difference between depth to epidural space measured by AU versus needle depth was -0.61 cm (95% confidence interval, -0.79 to -0.44), with a standard deviation of 0.58 (95% confidence interval, 0.48-0.73). Using the AU-identified insertion point resulted in successful epidural placement at first attempt in 87% of patients, 78% without redirects.

Factors Associated with Inadequate Pain Control among Postoperative Patients with Cancer.

Postoperative pain is considered a major, complex and multidimensional problem that affects the clinical and functional outcomes of patients and may contribute to increased postoperative complications. The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of inadequate pain control and to investigate the factors associated with inadequate pain control among postoperative cancer patients. A descriptive correlational, cross-sectional design was used. The study was conducted at four adult inpatient oncology departments at King Hussein Cancer Center, a nongovernmental, nonprofit, comprehensive hospital for treating cancer patients in Amman, Jordan. The convenience sample of 800 cancer patients selected comprised postoperative patients diagnosed with cancer and aged ≥18 years who were willing to participate and able to use the numeric rating scale. About 32.9% of patients had pain scores higher than 4/10 at rest, and 56.4% of patients had pain scores higher than 4/10 on movement. Data revealed that patients aged between 18 and 63 years (odds ratio [OR] = 0.196, p < .0005, and OR = 0.245, p < .0005) and chronic user patients (OR = 28.029, p < .0005, and OR = 10.332, p < .0005) had increased odds of poor pain control at rest and on movement, respectively. Administration of preemptive medications and of fentanyl and bupivacaine during the postoperative period was significantly associated with decreased odds of poor pain control. The intravenous route was associated with increased odds of poor pain control at rest and on movement (OR = 2.279, p = .016, and OR = 5.393, p = .012) compared with other routes, including combinations of the intravenous and oral or epidural route. Chronic use of pain medications and older age were predictors of inadequate pain control postoperatively. Administration of preemptive medications and of combinations of fentanyl and bupivacaine via the epidural route was associated with better pain control.

Randomized Controlled Trial of the Clinical Efficacy of Multiport Versus Uniport Wire-Reinforced Flexible Catheters for Labor Epidural Analgesia.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this prospective, randomized, controlled trial was to determine whether multiple ports improve the analgesic efficacy of wire-reinforced flexible catheters used for labor epidural analgesia (LEA). METHODS: Six hundred fifty laboring patients were randomized to receive epidural analgesia using either a multiport or uniport wire-reinforced flexible catheter. The primary outcome was analgesic success, defined as the incidence of adequate analgesia following the initial bolus given to initiate LEA. Secondary outcomes included the number of patients requiring clinician interventions during maintenance of LEA; anesthetic success, defined as the incidence of adequate anesthesia following the initial bolus given to establish surgical anesthesia for cesarean delivery; and maternal satisfaction with the overall quality of LEA. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in analgesic success at initiation of LEA between the uniport and the multiport wire-reinforced flexible catheter (93.6% vs 89.5%, respectively; difference of 4.1% [95% confidence interval, -0.4% to 8.5%]; P = .077). There was also no difference in the number of patients requiring clinician interventions during maintenance of LEA and in anesthetic success at the establishment of surgical anesthesia for cesarean delivery between the 2 catheter types. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple ports do not appear to improve the analgesic efficacy of wire-reinforced flexible catheters used for LEA.

An ethnography on perceptions of pain in Dutch "Natural" childbirth.

OBJECTIVE: this study offers insight into how women perceive childbirth pain and how they make decisions about whether to use an epidural during childbirth in the low technology context of the Netherlands maternity care system. DESIGN: ethnographic research consisting of participant observation at births and prenatal and postnatal appointments; semi-structured interviews with a sample of recently post-partum women; coding and triangulation of data to determine key themes in the interviews. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: the study was carried out with participants in thirteen urban cities around the Netherlands. The 40 post-partum women had lived in the Netherlands for at least 10 years prior to participation in the study, spoke English proficiently, and had a vaginal birth within the past 18 months. Additionally, participant observation occurred in midwifery practices. FINDINGS: analysis of the interviews revealed three key themes: first, participants perceive childbirth pain as "natural" and positive, and approach its management through non-medical birth methods; second, participants prioritize autonomy in childbirth which they see as something they can "do on [their] own" without pain medication; and third, participants' decisions about using an epidural was supported by professional advice and social connections, such as friends and family members. KEY CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: women's conception of pain is central to decisions about childbirth in the Netherlands. This ethnographic research illustrates how perceptions and attitudes toward childbirth pain are affected by definitions of a "natural" birth, women's capacity to give birth, and the presence of professional and social support for non-medical births.

Epidural analgesia in critically ill patients with acute pancreatitis: the multicentre randomised controlled EPIPAN study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is associated with high morbidity and mortality in its most severe forms. Most patients with severe AP require intubation and invasive mechanical ventilation, frequently for more than 7 days, which is associated with the worst outcome. Recent increasing evidence from preclinical and clinical studies support the beneficial effects of epidural analgesia (EA) in AP, such as increased gut barrier function and splanchnic, pancreatic and renal perfusion, decreased liver damage and inflammatory response, and reduced mortality. Because recent studies suggest that EA might be a safe procedure in the critically ill, we sought to determine whether EA reduced AP-associated respiratory failure and other major clinical outcomes in patients with AP. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The Epidural Analgesia for Pancreatitis (EPIPAN) trial is an investigator-initiated, prospective, multicentre, randomised controlled two-arm trial with assessor-blinded outcome assessment. The EPIPAN trial will randomise 148 patients with AP requiring admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) to receive EA (with patient-controlled epidural administration of ropivacaine and sufentanil) combined with standard care based on current recommendations on the treatment of AP (interventional group), or standard care alone (reference group). The primary outcome is the number of ventilator-free days at day 30. Secondary outcomes include main complications of AP (eg, organ failure and mortality, among others), levels of biological markers of systemic inflammation, epithelial lung injury, renal failure, and healthcare-associated costs. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study was approved by the appropriate ethics committee (CPP Sud-Est VI). Informed consent is required. If the combined application of EA and standard care proves superior to standard care alone in patients with AP in the ICU, the use of EA may become standard practice in experienced centres, thereby decreasing potential complications related to AP and its burden in critically ill patients. The results will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02126332.

Use of 3-Dimensional Printing to Create Patient-Specific Thoracic Spine Models as Task Trainers.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Thoracic epidural anesthesia is a technically challenging procedure with a high failure rate of 24% to 32% nationwide. Residents in anesthesiology have limited opportunities to practice this technique adequately, and there are no training tools available for this purpose. Our objective was to build a low-cost patient-specific thoracic epidural training model. METHODS: We obtained thoracic computed tomography scan data from patients with normal and kyphotic spine. The thoracic spine was segmented from the scan, and a 3-dimensional model of the spine was generated and printed. It was then placed in a customized wooden box and filled with different types of silicone to mimic human tissues. Attending physicians in our institution then tested the final model. They were asked to fill out a brief questionnaire after the identification of the landmarks and epidural space using ultrasound and real-time performance for a thoracic epidural on the model (Supplemental Digital Content 1, http://links.lww.com/AAP/A197). Likert scoring system was used for scoring. RESULTS: The time to develop this simulator model took less than 4 days, and the materials cost approximately $400. Fourteen physicians tested the model for determining the realistic sensation while palpating the spinous process, needle entry through the silicone, the "pop" sensation and ultrasound fidelity of the model. Whereas the tactile fidelity scores were "neutral" (3.08, 3.06, and 3.0, respectively), the ultrasound guidance and overall suitability for residents were highly rated as being the most realistic (4.85 and 4.0, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to develop homemade, low-cost, patient-specific, and high-fidelity ultrasound guidance simulators for resident training in thoracic epidurals using 3-dimensional printing technology.