NCT05165498

Real-time Ultrasound Guidance for Thoracic Epidural Blocks

Reliability of Real-time Ultrasound Guidance as an Adjunct to Loss of Resistance for Thoracic Epidural Blocks

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: —
• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 100 (estimated)
• Sponsor: University of Chile · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 80 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Various modalities have been proposed for real-time confirmation of loss of resistance (LOR) for thoracic epidural blocks. With real-time ultrasound (US) guidance, the anesthesiologist attempts to visualize the sonographic advancement of the epidural needle and penetration of the epidural space (as detected by LOR) This observational study is set out to confirm the reliability of real-time ultrasound guidance as an adjunct to LOR for thoracic epidural blocks.

Conditions

• Analgesia
• Thoracic Tumors
• Abdomen Tumors
• Rib Fractures

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
PROCEDURE	Real-time ultrasound guidance for thoracic epidural catheter placement.	With an US-guided parasagittal oblique approach, the interlaminar space at the union between laminas and spinous processes at the predefined insertion level will be identified. A skin wheal will be raised with 3 mL of lidocaine 1%. Afterward, an 18-gauge Tuohy epidural block needle will be advanced under direct US vision until the tip is insinuated between the laminas and anchored to the flavum ligament. Then the needle will be attached to a low resistance syringe prefilled with saline solution and advanced until LOR to injection is confirmed. Then a 20-Gauge epidural catheter will be inserted 3-5 cm beyond the needle tip inside the epidural space and the needle removed.

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-07-01
• Primary completion: 2026-12-01
• Completion: 2026-12-01
• First posted: 2021-12-21
• Last updated: 2023-12-14

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Chile