Comparison of clinical utilities for real-time ultrasound-guided thoracic epidural catheter placement in sitting and prone position

sixty-four patients were included in this study. The needling time was significantly shorter in group P than in group S (36.5 (26.5–51.0) vs 59.5 (34.5–152.0) s, p<0.01). The numbers of needle passes and skin punctures were significantly lesser in group P than in group S. First-pass success was higher in group P than in group S. Group P had higher GRS compared with group S. The time to mark space, final success, US visibility score, Patient Comfort Scale score, procedural pain intensity, and patient satisfaction did not differ between the groups. One patient in group S developed a vasovagal reaction.