NCT02410226

Ultrasound Versus Palpation for Epidural Catheterization

Comparison Between Ultrasound-assisted and Conventional Palpation Techniques for Epidural Catheterization Before Cesarean Section

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 110 (actual)
• Sponsor: Mansoura University · Academic / Other
• Sex: Female
• Age: 19 Years – 40 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The study will assess the benefit of using spinal ultrasound before epidural catheter insertion compared to the conventional palpation technique in women undergoing cesarean section.

Detailed description

The study will compare the ultrasound-assisted and the conventional palpation techniques for epidural catheterization as a component of combined spinal-epidural anesthesia for cesarean section. Participants will be randomly assigned into 2 equal groups. In the ultrasound group: Preprocedure lumbar spinal ultrasound will be performed before epidural catheterization. In the palpation group: Conventional technique of landmark palpation will be used.

Conditions

• Epidural Anesthesia
• Spinal Ultrasound

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
PROCEDURE	Double-space combined spinal-epidural anesthesia	Epidural space identification in Lumbar 2-3 or 3-4 space using loss of resistance to air technique with 18-gauge Tuohy needle, then threading a 20-gauge multi-orifice epidural catheter 4-5 cm into the epidural space. Spinal anesthesia administration in an appropriate lower intervertebral space with intrathecal bupivacaine 12.5 mg and fentanyl 10 mcg through a 27-gauge spinal needle.
RADIATION	Preprocedure spinal ultrasound	Lumbar spinal ultrasound using the 2-5 MHz curved probe, performed in both the longitudinal and transverse planes for identification of the appropriate intervertebral spce, estimation of the depth to the epidural space, and noting the proper angle for subsequent needle insertion. Then skin markings relying on the ultrasound procedure are made identifying 2 intervertebral spaces.
RADIATION	Sham ultrasound procedure	Applying the ultrasound probe on the patient's back while the ultrasound machine is on the freeze position.Then skin markings relying on landmark palpation are made identifying 2 intervertebral spaces.

Timeline

• Start date: 2015-04-01
• Primary completion: 2015-09-01
• Completion: 2015-09-01
• First posted: 2015-04-07
• Last updated: 2015-09-23

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Egypt