Evaluating ultrasound landmarks for spinal anesthesia in cesarean sections

Ultrasound Evaluation Of Two Anatomic Landmarks In Spinal Anesthesia For Cesarean Section: The Posterior Superior Iliac Spine vs Iliac Crest

Observational The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University · NCT06711601

This study is testing if using ultrasound to find certain points on the back can help doctors give spinal anesthesia more accurately to pregnant women having cesarean sections.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment660 (estimated)
SexFemale
SponsorThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University Academic / other
Locations1 site (Guangzhou, Guangdong)
Trial IDNCT06711601 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the accuracy of two anatomical landmarks, the Posterior Superior Iliac Spine (PSIS) and the Intercristal line, for identifying the lumbar intervertebral space in pregnant women undergoing spinal anesthesia for cesarean sections. It consists of two phases: the first phase measures the distance between the PSIS line and each intervertebral space using ultrasound, while the second phase involves 180 participants who will use these landmarks to define specific lumbar spaces. The goal is to provide a more reliable method for spinal anesthesia administration.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are pregnant women between 37-41 weeks of gestation who are planning to undergo a cesarean section.

Not a fit: Patients with contraindications to intraspinal anesthesia or those with significant lumbar anatomical issues may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance the safety and accuracy of spinal anesthesia in pregnant women during cesarean sections.

How similar studies have performed: While there have been studies on spinal anesthesia techniques, this specific evaluation of ultrasound landmarks is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* After obtaining written informed consents,pregnant women at 37-42 weeks of gestation

Exclusion Criteria:

* BMI ≥ 40 kg/m² (to minimize palpation variability), History of lumbar surgery/deformity (scoliosis, spondylolisthesis or osteoporotic vertebral collapse), Inability to maintain the flexed lateral decubitus position, Participant withdrawal, Unforeseen anatomical anomalies discovered during screening.

Where this trial is running

Guangzhou, Guangdong

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Spinal AnesthesiaUltrasonographyPosterior Superior Iliac SpineIntercristal Linecesarean sectionultrasonographyspinal anesthesiaintercristal line
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.