A positioning pillow to improve lumbar puncture success rate in paediatric haematology-oncology patients: a randomized controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Lumbar punctures (LPs) are common in children with cancer. Although pain management during the lumbar puncture has been well standardized, dealing with stress and anxiety is not well addressed yet. Our objective was to evaluate the potential improvement of the LP success rate using a positioning pillow, to ensure maximum lumbar flexion, and allow paravertebral muscles to relax, in children who are awake, with either conscious sedation or no sedation.

Methods

Children aged 2-18 years undergoing LP were randomly assigned to a positioning pillow or no intervention. The primary outcome was the rate of success, i.e. achieving the LP (sampling or injection) at the first attempt, without bleeding (RBC < 50/mm3). The secondary outcomes included: the child's pain, assessed

SUBMITTER: Marec-Berard P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2651181 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature