NCT01977898

Incidence of Headache Following an Unintentional Dural Puncture

Incidence of Post-Dural Puncture Headache Following Unintentional Dural Puncture: A Randomized Trial of Intrathecal Morphine Versus Saline

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 68 (actual)
• Sponsor: Northwestern University · Academic / Other
• Sex: Female
• Age: 18 Years – 45 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the use of intrathecal morphine administration following an unintentional dural puncture, to decrease the incidence of post dural puncture headaches (PDPH) in obstetric patients.

Detailed description

Unintentional dural puncture is a known risk of neuraxial techniques, occurring in roughly 1% of all epidural catheter placements. The incidence of post dural puncture headaches(PDPH) after unintentional dural puncture (UDP) is 50-80%. A PDPH is defined as a headache that occurs following a dural puncture, worsens within 15 minutes after sitting or standing and improves within 15 minutes after lying, with at least one of the following: neck stiffness, tinnitus, hypacusia, photophobia, or nausea. The headache develops within 5 days after dural puncture and resolves either spontaneously within 1 week or within 48 hours after effective treatment of the spinal fluid leak. The rates of PDPH following unintentional dural puncture with placement of an intrathecal catheter will be compared in two groups: intrathecal morphine (treatment) versus intrathecal saline (control) administered 1-2 hours after delivery, followed by immediate catheter removal. Patients randomized to the treatment group (morphine) will receive preservative-free morphine 0.3 mL (150 mcg) intrathecally. Those randomized to the control group will receive normal saline 0.3 mL intrathecally. After administration of intrathecal morphine, all patients will have their respirations monitored every hour for a period of 12 hours and then every two hours for a period of 12 hours. On postpartum days 1-5, all patients will be visited daily while inpatient and/or contacted by phone after discharge from the hospital. PDPH can lead to significant morbidity and negatively impact patient satisfaction with postpartum recovery. Along with headache, patients may develop cranial nerve palsy during the postpartum period leading to permanent disability. In addition, new mothers are unable to bond with their babies due to headache and associated symptoms of nausea, vomiting and limited mobility secondary to pain. Therefore, an effective intervention to decrease the risk of PDPH after UDP would be useful.

Conditions

• Postdural Puncture Headache
• Post-Lumbar Puncture Headache
• Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DRUG	Morphine	The drug will be prepared in tuberculin syringes. After thoroughly sanitizing the catheter port with a Chloroprep wipe and allowing adequate time for drying of the Chloroprep, the anesthesiologist will first attach a 3-mL syringe to the catheter port and aspirate to a volume of 1 mL. This syringe will then be removed from the port. The study drug will then be administered through the intrathecal catheter via the tuberculin syringe. The 3-mL syringe containing the aspirate will then be injected via the catheter, effectively flushing the study drug through the catheter. The intrathecal catheter will be removed immediately following the injection.
DRUG	Saline	The drug will be prepared in tuberculin syringes. After thoroughly sanitizing the catheter port with a Chloroprep wipe and allowing adequate time for drying of the Chloroprep, the anesthesiologist will first attach a 3-mL syringe to the catheter port and aspirate to a volume of 1 mL. This syringe will then be removed from the port. The study drug will then be administered through the intrathecal catheter via the tuberculin syringe. The 3-mL syringe containing the aspirate will then be injected via the catheter, effectively flushing the study drug through the catheter. The intrathecal catheter will be removed immediately following the injection.

Timeline

• Start date: 2011-11-01
• Primary completion: 2019-03-01
• Completion: 2019-03-01
• First posted: 2013-11-07
• Last updated: 2021-11-17
• Results posted: 2021-04-02

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States