Dural Puncture Epidural (DPE) Technique in Labor Analgesia

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This is a single-center, prospective observational study at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. It investigates the DPE technique, where the dura is punctured with a spinal needle to confirm correct epidural placement by CSF visualization, before any intrathecal medication is given. Primary outcome is the rate of successful CSF visualization after dural puncture; secondary outcomes include overall epidural success, provider confidence, analgesia effectiveness, maternal satisfaction, need for rescue analgesia, and delivery and neonatal outcomes. The study describes patient selection among term singleton pregnancies requesting epidural analgesia and excludes those with chronic pain, spine issues, infections, or language barriers. It contributes to understanding whether DPE can improve accuracy and safety of labor neuraxial analgesia.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* o Women with a single vertex presentation fetus at term (37-42 weeks) with intact fetal membranes or membrane rupture \<6 hours previously, who request to have an epidural for labor analgesia and provide written consent for the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

* o Patients being treated/managed for chronic pain.

  * Allergies or significant adverse reactions to local anesthetic or opioid medications
  * Contraindication to labor epidural placement
  * Patients with history of spine abnormalities or spine surgery.
  * Prisoners
  * Clinical signs or symptoms of infection.
  * Non-English speakers.

Where it's running

• The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Hospitals
  Columbus, Ohio, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Goran Ristev
• Email: goran.ristev@osumc.edu
• Phone: 6142938487

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.