Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Correct localization of the sacral hiatus is essential for administering a successful caudal epidural block. The present study was undertaken to find out the anatomical variations of sacral hiatus by a metrical method so that it could help anaesthesiologists in the clinical field. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was performed on 140 (83 male and 57 female) adult human sacra. Various parameters of the sacrum studied were as follows: the shape of the hiatus, length of the sacral hiatus, transverse width at the base and anteroposterior diameter at the level of the apex. For each parameter, the mean value (calculated in mm), standard deviation, range and percentage of bones identified correctly were calculated. RESULTS: Various shapes of sacral hiatus were observed, including inverted "U" in 73 (52.14%), inverted "V" in 33 (23.57%), irregular in 10 (7.14%), elongated in 10 (7.14%) and dumbbell-shaped in 12 (8.57%). Absent sacral hiatus was observed in two (1.43%) specimens. The mean value for the length of sacral hiatus from the apex to the midpoint of the base was found to be 23.26 mm in males and 22.38 mm in females. However, the parameter was found to be statistically not significant. The mean value for transverse width at the base of hiatus was found to be 14.19 mm in males and 13.54 mm in females. The mean value for the anteroposterior diameter of the sacral canal at the apex was found to be 4.57 mm in males and 4.32 mm in females. Both the above parameters were found to be statistically not significant. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION: The anatomical knowledge of sacral hiatus and its variations are important in caudal epidural anaesthesia, and it may improve the success rate of caudal epidural anaesthesia.