Increased lumbar puncture success using a paramedian approach: A retrospective cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Lumbar puncture (LP) is frequently necessary in hospitalized patients for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Traditional landmark identification by palpation of the lumbar spine and pelvis can see significant failure rates. A paramedian approach is an accepted, though less frequently used technique associated with higher success rates for spinal access in anesthesia when aided by ultrasound. Similarly, point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) of the paramedian acoustic window may help guide a paramedian LP technique.

Objective

To compare the probability of success before and after the implementation of a standardized training curriculum for lumbar punctures (LPs) performed by the Hospital Medicine Procedure Service (HMPS).

Methods

The HMPS at the University of Mi

SUBMITTER: Wagner J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12747465 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature