I read the article by Stein and colleagues [1], and noted their impressive results with great interest. I have two queries regarding the aseptic precautions used in their study. It is recognised that epidural blood patch should be performed with the highest standard of asepsis [2], and I note that blood was infused through an epidural catheter that had been in situ, in some cases for up to 30 hours. Presumably the bacterial filter had to be removed before injecting the blood, so I wonder if the authors could eludicate how they ensured meticulous asepsis of the epidural catheter hub before connecting the syringe?
展开▼
