Real-time ultrasound-guided vs. Anatomical landmark-guided paramedian epidural anesthesia in overweight parturients undergoing analgesic labor: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

We evaluated whether real-time ultrasound-guided epidural block is more suitable for overweight parturients undergoing analgesic labor than traditional palpation positioning. Sixty overweight at-term pregnant women (body mass index ≥30 kg/m2 into two groups. The parturients in the anatomical landmark catheterization group received paramedian epidural anesthesia using the anatomical landmark-guided technique, while real-time ultrasound-guided positioning was performed in the ultrasound-guided-catheterization group. Total procedure duration, time to identify the puncture site and perform the puncture, first attempt success rate, number of attempts, number of needle-redirections, intervertebral-space-change rate, satisfaction score, and complications were compared between the groups. Procedure duration and time to identify the puncture site were significantly shorter in the anatomical landmark catheterization group (440.1 ± 97.2 s vs. 521.9 ± 68.4 s, p < 0.001 and 24.9 ± 13.6 s vs. 112.2 ± 15.6 s, p < 0.001, respectively). There was no significant difference in the time to perform the puncture (385.3 ± 89.7 s vs. 365.1 ± 73.0 s, p = 0.341). The first attempt success rate was lower while the number of attempts and number of needle-redirections were higher in the anatomical landmark catheterization group (p < 0.05). The intervertebral-space-change rate was similar across the groups. Satisfaction was significantly lower in the ultrasound-guided catheterization group (p = 0.009). Complication occurrence, e.g., catheterization difficulty or bleeding during catheterization, dural puncture, and lower-back pain, was similar across the groups. Real-time ultrasound-guided paramedian epidural anesthesia improved the first attempt success rate and reduced the number of attempts and number of needle-redirections in overweight parturients undergoing analgesic labor. However, the longer total procedure duration and time to identify the puncture site might dissatisfy parturients.