title: Current epidural practice--results of a survey of military anaesthetists.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  As epidurals are now used for pain relief on deployment a survey was conducted to look at the current epidural practice of U.K. military anaesthetists. The aim was to identify any potential issues with regard to equipment and training to allow future development ofpre-deployment training.
  
  
  METHODS
  An Internet based survey was carriedout. All military anaesthetistswere sent an e-mail containing a link to the survey and the results of those who responded were analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 49 surveys were completed. 78% of respondents carried out epidurals more than once a month, in a wide range of specialities. There was considerable variation in methods of securing epidurals and in drug choice amongst respondents.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this survey show that whilst epidurals are commonly carried out amongst military anaesthetists during their U.K. practice, there is significant variation within the practice. Areas have been identified for development of educational courses, for example methods of securing epidurals, and these have already been acted upon.
authors.affiliation: James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough.
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Woods
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Aldington
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000767:Anesthesia, Epidural / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000776:Anesthesiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003625:Data Collection; D004739:England; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008887:Military Medicine