• A G Aya, R Mangin, C Robert, J M Ferrer, and J J Eledjam.
• Département d'Anesthésie-Réanimation, CHU Gaston Doumergue, Nîmes, France.
• Can J Anaesth. 1999 Jul 1;46(7):665-9.

PurposeTo evaluate the experience of the operator and the time of epidural anesthesia as factors contributing to unintentional dural puncture (UDP).MethodsIn a prospective analysis of recorded cases of UDP the following variables were recorded: maternal height, weight, and weight gain, type of personnel providing epidural analgesia, number of attempts, and hour of the epidural procedure. Work time was divided into day-time (8 AM to 7 PM) and night-time (7 PM to 8 AM), according to the change of coverage of the delivery suite. Night-time was divided into first (7 PM to midnight) and second parts (midnight to 8 AM). Relative risk was used to compare the incidence of UDP among different work-times.ResultsA total of 1489 consecutive epidural procedures were considered. The incidence of dural puncture was 0.8% (12 cases). The relative risk was higher for night-time than day-time (risk ratio 6.33; 95% confidence interval, 1.39 to 28.80; P = 0.006). Seven cases were caused by three operators with poor expertise, and five by two skilled obstetric anesthesiologists.ConclusionOperator experience and hour of procedure appear to be two important risk factors of UDP The increased risk of UDP in night-work could result from human factors such as fatigue, sleep deprivation or interruption.

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