Anesthesia & Analgesia published a new study examining the results of the Accuro image guided spinal navigation system. Researchers at Stanford (Calif.) University conducted the study.
Here are seven insights:
1. Accuro image guided navigation system calculates the optimal site and needle depth for epidural anesthesia administration.
2. In the trial, Accuro identified the desired epidural injection sites along the lower spine and calculated the depth to the epidural space. Actual epidural depth was confirmed by measuring needle penetration during successful epidural delivery by anesthesia providers.
3. Accuro identified the appropriate spinal interspace for needle insertion in 94 percent of patients and enabled 87 percent success in first attempt spinal administration.
4. For residents with prior spinal anesthesia experience, Accuro improved first attempt needle placement by more than 100 percent in patients with a high body mass index.
5. Additionally, Accuro incorporates BoneEnhance technology to optimize the device for visualization of bony spinal anatomy and soft tissue imaging.
6. Up to 80 percent of first attempt epidural needle placements fail, costing medical systems more than $1.5 billion annually.
7. Research was conducted by Brendan Carvalho, MD, of Stanford (Calif.) Medical Center and Katherine Slegman, MD, of the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.