Comparison of Echo-assisted ALR Technique and Traditional ALR Technique for the Placement of an Epidural Catheter in the Obstetric Patient

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Ultrasound guided injection with local anaestethic: Experimental treatment consists of ultrasound assessment combined with palpatory assessment to identify the most suitable space for epidural catheter insertion. The conventional neuroaxial technique relies on palpation of the spinous processes and iliac crests to recognize the midline and height of the lumbar interspace to be used to perform a neuroaxial block. With the echo-assisted technique, in aid of the conventional technique, a preprocedure (Prepuncture) is performed for the purpose of combining classic anatomical findings with useful sonographic findings that should improve the success of the neuroaxial technique.

Study summary

This is a randomized, open-label, single-center clinical trial. The purpose of the study is to understand whether the aid of ultrasound assessment is useful in improving the competence of resident.

Specifically, to demonstrate how the aid of echo-assistance in the evaluation of the spine increases the atraumatic success rate (primary objective) and reduces the number of complications (particularly, the number of attempts needed and the rate of dura puncture) (secondary objective) in physicians in specialty training.

Pregnant patients requiring peridural analgesia will be assigned to the intervention or control group by simple randomization.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• the rate of FNP (thus atraumatic puncture) — Through study completion,an average of 1 year
  The primary objective of this study is to demonstrate whether or not the aid of echo-assistance in spinal evaluation, performed by an experienced anesthesiologist, increases the atraumatic success rate, First Needle Pass (FNP), in epidural catheter placement by inexperienced personnel (physicians in specialty training, MFS). This objective will be calculated by observing the rate of FNP (thus atraumatic puncture).

Trial sites (1)

More IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna trials in Italy

Other trials for the same condition