A Single Academic Center, Prospective Cohort With Retrospective Loss-of-resistance Comparator, Proof of Concept Study to Evaluate the Safety, Efficacy, and Usability of the EpiZact Device for Parturients Undergoing Epidural Labor Analgesia
Oregon Health and Science University
Summary
The purpose of the study is to learn more about a new device, the EpiZact Epidural Device, that may be helpful for reducing the likelihood of wet tap when a labor epidural is placed. When epidurals are placed correctly the needle stops just in front of the space in the body that contains cerebrospinal fluid. When the epidural is advanced a short distance further, leakage of cerebrospinal fluid can occur. This is known as a wet tap. A wet tap can result in a severe headache and at times other complications. The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if the use of the EpiZact device prevents wet taps in pregnant women receiving epidurals for relief of labor pain. The main questions this study aims to answer are: 1. What the rate of wet tap with the EpiZact device? 2. What is the rate of failed epidural placement with the EpiZact device? All patients in the study will receive an epidural with the EpiZact device. The investigators will compare the results with patients not in the study that receive an epidural without the EpiZact device.
Description
The purpose of the study is to learn if use of the EpiZact device decreases the number of wet taps that occur when epidurals are placed. The EpiZact device has a technology that automatically stops the epidural needle when it enters the epidural space. In theory, this should decrease the likelihood of a wet tap. The standard epidural to treat labor pain does not have this capability. The study device may cause fewer wet taps than the standard epidural. All study participants will receive an epidural to treat labor pain with the EpiZact device. Results will be compared with patients receiving e…