Intrathecal Catheter Placement Versus Resiting Epidural Catheter After Dural Puncture in Obstetric Patients (ItaREVI)

Intrathecal Catheter Placement Versus Resiting Epidural Catheter After Dural Puncture in Obstetric Patients

Intrathecal Catheter Placement Versus Resiting Epidural Catheter After Dural Puncture in Obstetric Patients: a Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial

Epidural anesthesia represents the most popular method for pain relief during labour. Unintentional dural puncture (UDP) occurs in 0.4-1.5% of labour epidural analgesia, representing therefore the most common complication. Up to 80% of patients with a UDP may develop a post-dural puncture headache (PDPH). When a UDP occurs, two possible strategies have been proposed in order to ensure analgesia during labour: either resiting the epidural catheter in a different intervertebral space, or inserting an intrathecal catheter. Both strategies proved to equally provide analgesia during labour, but their relative contribution in preventing PDPH is still not known. The primary aim of this multicenter randomized controlled trial is therefore to compare these two strategies in the occurrence of PDPH at 24 hours from the UDP.

After a UDP has occurred, epidural catheter will be re-sited in a different intervertebral space. Analgesia will be then maintained according to internal protocol, using PIEB (Programmed Intermittent Epidural Bolus) system. Catheter will be left in place for the first 24-36 hours.

After a UDP has occurred, an intrathecal catheter will be placed through the dural tap. Analgesia will be then maintained according to internal protocol, using PISB (Programmed Intermittent Subarachnoid Bolus) system. Catheter will be left in place for the first 24-36 hours. During this time, a continuous infusion of sterile saline at a rate of 2 mL/h will be maintained. Before removal, an additional bolus of 10 mL of sterile saline will be administered in the intrathecal catheter.

PDPH intensity, rated using a 10-point scale, ranging from 0 ("no pain") to 10 ("worst pain imaginable")

PDPH intensity, rated using a 10-point scale, ranging from 0 ("no pain") to 10 ("worst pain imaginable")

Quality of analgesia during labour will be evaluated, based on the number of additional boluses of local anesthetic administered during labour to treat breakthrough pain.

All reported adverse events, including number of unsuccessful attempts at placing the epidural or subarachnoid catheter, motor block, poor analgesia, caesarean section rate.

ER visits or hospital readmissions due to neurological symptoms related or possibly related to PDPH (severe headache, severe back pain, fever, leg weakness, incontinence of urine or stool)

Patient's satisfaction, evaluated through the Italian version of the Birth Satisfaction Scale-Revised (BSS-R)

Inclusion Criteria: Confirmed diagnosis of UDP during labour Written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: Refusal to participate in the study History of PDPH