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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2009 Jul 25.
Published in final edited form as: Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2009;34(2):100–105. doi: 10.1097/AAP.0b013e31819a12ba

FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 2

The depth of transforaminal epidurals is positively correlated with body mass index (BMI). A 3.5-in (8.89 cm) needle will suffice for patients with BMI of less than 25 kg/m2 (underweight and normal). A 5-in (12.7 cm) needle will be required for some patients with a BMI of 25 to 30 kg/m2 (preobese) and most patients with a BMI of greater than 30 kg/m2 (obese classes I, II, and III). Some patients with a BMI of greater than 30 kg/m2 will require a 7-in needle.