Analysis of infant lumbar puncture success rates: sitting flexed versus lateral flexed positions.

OBJECTIVES

The primary objective was to determine whether the sitting flexed position yields higher success rates of obtaining cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for culture. The secondary objectives were to determine whether the sitting flexed position yields higher success rates of obtaining the following: CSF for cell count, non-traumatic CSF, and CSF on the first attempt.

METHODS

The study investigator performed a retrospective chart review of infants 0 to 365 days of age who had a lumbar puncture (LP) performed from January 1 to December 31 of 2010. Data on the LP position and the number of attempts were abstracted from procedure notes. Twenty-one LPs were excluded because of incomplete data on LP position and/or number of attempts. Spinal fluid count results were obtained from electronic medical records. Non-traumatic LPs were defined in 2 categories: CSF red blood cell counts of 500 cells per cubic millimeter or less and 10,000 cells per cubic millimeter or less.

RESULTS

One hundred thirty-two LPs were included: 30 sitting flexed and 102 lateral flexed. There were no differences in success rates between positions for the primary objective of obtaining CSF for culture and the secondary study objectives of obtaining CSF for cell count and non-traumatic CSF. A significant secondary objective was that operators who performed the LP in the sitting flexed position were more likely to obtain CSF on the first attempt (odds ratio, 2.74; confidence interval, 1.17-6.45).

CONCLUSIONS

The sitting flexed position was as successful as the lateral flexed position in the primary objective of obtaining CSF for culture and the secondary objectives of obtaining CSF for cell count and non-traumatic CSF. For the secondary objective of obtaining CSF on the first attempt, the sitting flexed position was associated with a higher rate of obtaining CSF on the first attempt in infants younger than 12 months.