Dural Puncture Epidural (DPE) Technique: Efficacy and Safety Overview. (NCT07704554)
🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)
Neuraxial techniques such as lumbar epidural and combined spinal-epidural (CSE) are the most effective methods for labor analgesia and are associated with high patient satisfaction. However, standard epidurals can have failure rates and may be difficult to reliably confirm correct placement. The dural puncture epidural (DPE) technique has been introduced to improve confirmation of epidural placement and potentially enhance analgesia. It involves identifying the epidural space, puncturing the dura with a spinal needle without injecting medication, confirming cerebrospinal fluid flow, and then placing the epidural catheter. While DPE may improve analgesia and drug spread, current evidence is limited and does not clearly demonstrate superiority over standard epidural techniques. At The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, DPE is used routinely for labor epidurals. This observational study evaluates epidural failure rates and anesthesia provider confidence in performing DPE, while also collecting procedural details, patient characteristics, analgesic outcomes, and complications. Provider confidence is assessed using a 3-point scale along with factors influencing performance, and patient outcomes include pain relief, need for rescue dosing, and overall epidural effectiveness.
Who can join: Review the eligibility criteria below.
Location: The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Hospitals — Columbus, Ohio
Age range: 18 Years
🧪 Interventions in This Study
- Dural Puncture Epidural (DPE) Technique (PROCEDURE)
📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener
Instant ChecklistFull eligibility criteria are available on the official NIH protocol. View the criteria ↗
📍 All Participating Trial Locations (1 Sites)
- The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Hospitals — Columbus, Ohio
📞 Contact the Study Coordinator
Phone: (614) 293-8487
Email: goran.ristev@osumc.edu
Coordinator details come directly from the registered NIH protocol. Confirm the study is still recruiting before traveling.
💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights
- 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
- Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
- Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.
More studies in Labor Pain
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- Quality of Labour Epidural Analgesia With Intrathecal Morphine as a Component of Combined Spinal Epidural — Toronto, Ontario
- ED90 of Bupivacaine After Lidocaine Test Dose With DPE and EPL — Boston, Massachusetts
- Analgesic Efficacy and Obstetric Effects of Tramadol, Paracetamol and Placebo in Active Labor — Tegucigalpa, Francisco Morazán Department
Explore by condition: All Labor Pain clinical trials
💡 How to Participate
- Check the checklist above to see if you may qualify.
- Contact the study coordinator using the phone/email above.
- Ask about the visit schedule, what is covered at no cost, and any travel support.
- Confirm with your own doctor before making a decision.