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CompletedNCT00981916Updated Sep 5, 2013

Ultrasound Determination of Needle Depth in Epidurals in Adult Patients

An observational study in Analgesia, Epidural and Surgery, sponsored by University of Chicago. Completed at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2013-09-05.

Sponsored by University of Chicago · Observational

Study type
Observational
Model
Cohort
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrollment
42
Ages
18 Years and older
Sex
All
01

Study summary

The introduction of local anesthetics and other medications into the epidural space is a principal technique in provision of anesthesia in many procedures. Typically the anesthetist accesses the epidural space blindly using palpation and visualization of external landmarks and then uses a needle to get to the epidural space. The investigators propose a prospective study of use of ultrasound in a large heterogeneous group of surgical candidates to define the relationship between the actual needle depth (ND) to the epidural space and measured ultrasound depth (UD). Establishing correctly the depth to the epidural space via ultrasound is a component of ultrasound imaging that might improve current technique, and might lead to faster performance of the epidural. Use of ultrasound may also improve the efficacy and safety of epidural placement.

The null hypothesis of this study is that ultrasound depth is similar to the needle depth in adult non parturient patients undergoing lumbar and thoracic epidurals. A parturient in this case is defined as a female currently near or going through labor.

02

Conditions studied

  • Analgesia, Epidural
  • Surgery

Keywords

  • determination of depth to epidural space using ultrasound
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In context

Lead sponsor

University of Chicago is the lead sponsor of 907 studies on the registry; 182 are open to participants now.

Of its 99 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 68 (69%) have results posted.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

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Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years and older
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No
Sampling method
Non-probability sample

Study population

The patient population will include all non parturients above the age of 18 who are candidates for epidural placement prior to surgery

Inclusion criteria

  • The patient population will include all non parturients above the age of 18 who are candidates for epidural placement prior to surgery.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Parturients, prisoners and patients younger than 18 years old will be excluded from this study.
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Study design

Observational model
Cohort
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrollment
42 participants (actual)
06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Ultrasound depth

    Depth to epidural space as determined by ultrasound probe

    Time frame: At time of exam

07

Study locations

1 site
  • University of Chicago
    Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
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Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Sep 5, 2013, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
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Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT00981916
Lead sponsor
University of Chicago
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Sep 22, 2009
Start date
Sep 2009
Primary completion
Jun 2010
Completion
Jun 2010
Last update
Sep 5, 2013

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
Yes
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

Not currently enrolling

This study is completed, as verified in Sep 2013. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

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