Assessing Labor Epidural Catheter Dysfunction for Tubal Ligation in Parturients Using CompuFlo® CathCheck™ System: A Pilot Study
Ohio State University
Summary
This pilot study evaluates the use of the CompuFlo® CathCheck™ System to assess labor epidural catheter function before reactivation for postpartum tubal ligation. The study aims to determine whether this technology can accurately identify functional versus dysfunctional epidural catheters compared with standard clinical assessment methods. Improving catheter assessment may reduce failed epidural reactivation, the need for additional anesthesia techniques, and improve patient safety.
Description
Postpartum tubal ligation is a common surgical procedure performed after delivery, and labor epidural catheters are frequently used for anesthesia during this procedure. However, reactivation of labor epidural catheters after vaginal delivery can fail, requiring conversion to spinal or general anesthesia. Reported failure rates are significant, and factors such as prolonged time since delivery, prior need for additional epidural medication during labor, and poor analgesic satisfaction may increase the risk of failure. Currently, there is no standardized method to confirm the continued functio…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- Female
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria * Age ≥ 18 years * Postpartum women electing to undergo tubal ligation with an indwelling labor epidural catheter * Ability to provide informed consent in English * Vaginal delivery Exclusion Criteria * Parturients not receiving labor epidural analgesia or receiving an alternative anesthetic technique during labor and delivery * Epidural catheter located \>2 cm from the documented insertion depth at initial placement * Planned elective cesarean delivery * Chronic pain conditions (e.g., chronic low back pain, sickle cell disease) * Chronic opioid use disorder * Chronic gab…
Interventions
- DeviceCompuFlo® CathCheck™ System Assessment
Evaluation of labor epidural catheter functionality using the CompuFlo® CathCheck™ System following standard epidural test-dose administration and prior to epidural reactivation for postpartum tubal ligation.
Location
- The Ohio State UniversityColumbus, Ohio