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Labor PainPhase 4NCT02105558

Outcomes of Neuraxial Anesthetic Technique on the Trial of Labor After Cesarean (TOLAC)

A Phase 4 study testing Epidural anesthesia and Combined spinal and epidural anesthesia in people with Labor Pain and Complications; Cesarean Section, run by The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston at 1 site in United States.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

To compare the effects of epidural versus combined spinal and epidural (CSE) anesthesia on the success of Trial of Labor After Cesarean (TOLAC). Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 50 years, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
What is being tested?
Epidural anesthesia and Combined spinal and epidural anesthesia
Type of treatment
Injection or infusion
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
46 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
Apr 2014to 13 Apr 2017
Phase
Phase 4
Are there results?
Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 50 years
  • Women only
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult

Who may be able to join

  • all patients meeting ACOG guidelines for TOLAC
  • at least one previous elective cesarean delivery
  • <40 weeks gestational age (GA)
  • vertex singleton pregnancy with use of continuous fetal monitoring

Who cannot join

  • Patient refusal of regional anesthetic or with contraindication for regional anesthesia
  • BMI >40
  • associated comorbidities such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, abnormal placentation

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site
  • Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital

    Houston, Texas, 77026

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: Outcomes of Epidural Versus Combined Spinal and Epidural (CSE) Anesthetic Technique on the Success of Trial of Labor After Cesarean (TOLAC): A Pilot Study

To compare the effects of epidural versus combined spinal and epidural (CSE) anesthesia on the success of Trial of Labor After Cesarean (TOLAC).

Read the detailed description

Though it has been said, "once a cesarean, always a cesarean," the current medical stance has changed and now encourages vaginal birth after cesaren (VBAC) in a select population of patients. VBAC has several advantages over a repeat cesarean including decreased recovery period, decreased risk of infection, avoidance of major abdominal surgery, and lessened blood loss. Predictors for success of VBAC include previous spontaneous vaginal birth, singleton pregnancy, and previous low transverse scar for C-section delivery. TOLAC is a reasonable option for select pregnant women and is associated with a 74% likelihood of VBAC. Risk factors for failure of VBAC include labor dystocia, advanced maternal age, maternal obesity, fetal macrosomia, gestational age (GA) >40 weeks, short inter pregnancy interval, and preeclampsia.

While success of VBAC is associated with fewer complications, failure of VBAC may be associated with increased complications. A major concern for VBAC is the possibility for uterine rupture, which may result in hysterectomy and intrapartum fetal hypoxia/death. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) guidelines, effective regional analgesia should not be expected to mask the signs and symptoms of uterine rupture, particularly because the most common sign of rupture is fetal heart tracing abnormalities. Adequate pain relief achieved with either CSE or epidurals may even encourage more women to opt for VBAC. The decision to proceed with TOLAC should occur only after appropriate discussion of the risks and benefits has occurred between the patient and her obstetrician and as long as no other contraindications exist. The final decision should be left up to the patient. There is no reliable way to predict risk of uterine rupture, but it may be associated with classical and low vertical uterine scars, induction of labor, and increased number of prior cesarean deliveries and risk may be decreased by previous vaginal birth. Other aspects of VBAC versus repeat cesarean pertaining to the fetus to consider include respiratory function, mother-infant contact, and initiation of breastfeeding, which may be delayed in cesarean deliveries.

There is very little research concerning the effects of CSEs and epidurals on women undergoing TOLAC.There have been multiple studies comparing CSE and epidurals on nulliparous and multiparous women, but none have been done specifically on patients undergoing TOLAC. According to the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) practice guidelines for obstetric anesthesia "nonrandomized comparative studies suggest that epidural analgesia may be used in a trial of labor for previous cesarean delivery patients without adversely affecting the incidence of vaginal delivery. Randomized comparison of epidural versus other anesthetic techniques were not found." They agree that neuraxial techniques improve the likelihood of vaginal delivery for patients attempting VBAC and suggest neuraxial catheter be placed in event of operative delivery. Because no study to date has compared CSEs and epidurals and their effects on the success of VBAC, this study aims to further investigate this arena.

Being tested
Epidural anesthesia, Combined spinal and epidural anesthesia
Keywords
trial of labor after cesarean, vaginal birth after cesarean, epidural vs combined spinal epidural
Medical subject headings
Labor Pain

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Epidural anesthesiaDrug

    An epidural involves injecting pain-blocking medication into a space between the vertebrae and the spinal fluid; it usually takes about 15 minutes to work.

    Epidurals will be placed in a sterile fashion using a 17g Tuohy needle to locate the epidural space via loss-of-resistance to saline at the lumbar vertebral level. 3 ml of 1.5% lidocaine with 5ug/ml of epinephrine will then be used for test dose to exclude intrathecal or intravenous placement of the catheter. Epidural solution composed of 5ml of 0.2% ropivacaine and another 5 ml of 0.2% ropivacaine will then be administered.

  • Combined spinal and epidural anesthesiaDrug

    A spinal is an injection directly into the spinal fluid; it is given in addition to the epidural technique and takes effect in five minutes.

    The epidural space will be located with a 17g Tuohy needle and dural puncture performed with 25g Pencan needle via needle-through-needle technique. Spinal injection of 2ml 0.2% ropivacaine will then be performed and spinal needle removed. An epidural catheter will then be placed and test dose performed with 3 ml of 1.5% lidocaine with 5ug/ml of epinephrine. Maintenance dose will be via an epidural pump using 0.2% ropivacaine at a rate of 12 ml/hr.

Study groups in NCT02105558
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Epidural anesthesiaExperimentalTrial of labor after cesarean with an epidural for anesthesia: Epidurals will be placed in a sterile fashion using a 17g Tuohy needle to locate the epidural space via loss-of-resistance to saline at the lumbar vertebral level. 3 ml of 1.5% lidocaine with 5ug/ml of epinephrine will then be used for test dose to exclude intrathecal or intravenous placement of the catheter. Epidural solution composed of 5ml of 0.2% ropivacaine and another 5 ml of 0.2% ropivacaine will then be administered.
Receives: Drug: Epidural anesthesia
Combined spinal and epidural anesthesiaExperimentalTrial of labor after cesarean with a combined spinal and epidural (CSE) for anesthesia: the epidural space will be located with a 17g Tuohy needle and dural puncture performed with 25g Pencan needle via needle-through-needle technique. Spinal injection of 2ml 0.2% ropivacaine will then be performed and spinal needle removed. An epidural catheter will then be placed and test dose performed with 3 ml of 1.5% lidocaine with 5ug/ml of epinephrine. Maintenance dose will be via an epidural pump using 0.2% ropivacaine at a rate of 12 ml/hr.
Receives: Drug: Combined spinal and epidural anesthesia

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Number of Participants With Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC)

    Measured: at the time of delivery

Secondary outcomes (11)
  1. Success of Analgesia as Indicated by Pain Score Assessed by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)

    Pain score was assessed by a visual analogue scale (VAS) with a scale of 1 to 10, with higher scores indicating a higher level of pain. Pain scores less than 3 are considered to indicate successful analgesia.

    Measured: baseline

  2. Success of Analgesia as Indicated by Pain Score Assessed by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)

    Pain score was assessed by a visual analogue scale (VAS) with a scale of 1 to 10, with higher scores indicating a higher level of pain. Pain scores less than 3 are considered to indicate successful analgesia.

    Measured: 15 minutes after regional anesthesia

  3. Success of Analgesia as Indicated by Pain Score Assessed by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)

    Pain score was assessed by a visual analogue scale (VAS) with a scale of 1 to 10, with higher scores indicating a higher level of pain. Pain scores less than 3 are considered to indicate successful analgesia.

    Measured: 30 minutes after regional anesthesia

  4. Success of Analgesia as Indicated by Pain Score Assessed by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)

    Pain score was assessed by a visual analogue scale (VAS) with a scale of 1 to 10, with higher scores indicating a higher level of pain. Pain scores less than 3 are considered to indicate successful analgesia.

    Measured: 60 minutes after regional anesthesia

  5. Success of Analgesia as Indicated by Pain Score Assessed by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)

    Pain score was assessed by a visual analogue scale (VAS) with a scale of 1 to 10, with higher scores indicating a higher level of pain. Pain scores less than 3 are considered to indicate successful analgesia.

    Measured: 24 hours after regional anesthesia

  6. Childbirth Experience as Assessed by a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)

    Childbirth experience was assessed by a visual analogue scale (VAS) with a scale of 1 to 10, with higher scores indicating a better childbirth experience.

    Measured: 24 hours after regional anesthesia

  7. Maternal Satisfaction as Assessed by a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)

    Maternal Satisfaction was assessed by a visual analogue scale (VAS) with a scale of 1 to 10, with higher scores indicating a higher level of satisfaction.

    Measured: 24 hours after regional anesthesia

  8. Neonatal Outcome as Assessed by (APGAR) Score

    Apgar score is a method to quickly summarize the health of newborn children. The Apgar scale is determined by evaluating the newborn baby on five simple criteria [Appearance (skin color), Pulse (heart rate), Grimace (reflex irritability), Activity (muscle tone), and Respiration]. Each crtieria is rated on a scale from 0 to 2, then summing up the five values thus obtained. The resulting Apgar total score ranges from zero to 10. Scores of 7 and above are generally normal, 4 to 6 fairly low, and 3 and below are generally regarded as critically low.

    Measured: 1 minute after birth

  9. Neonatal Outcome as Assessed by (APGAR) Score

    Apgar score is a method to quickly summarize the health of newborn children. The Apgar scale is determined by evaluating the newborn baby on five simple criteria [Appearance (skin color), Pulse (heart rate), Grimace (reflex irritability), Activity (muscle tone), and Respiration]. Each crtieria is rated on a scale from 0 to 2, then summing up the five values thus obtained. The resulting Apgar total score ranges from zero to 10. Scores of 7 and above are generally normal, 4 to 6 fairly low, and 3 and below are generally regarded as critically low.

    Measured: 5 minutes after birth

  10. Time From Regional Anesthesia to Delivery

    Measured: from regional anesthesia to delivery (about 86 - 1205 minutes)

  11. Time From Second Stage of Labor to Delivery

    The second stage of delivery begins after the cervix has dilated to 10 centimeters (cm).

    Measured: from the second stage of labor to delivery (about 6 to 174 minutes)

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted7 Apr 2014 (estimated)
  2. Study startApr 2014
  3. Primary completion13 Apr 2017
  4. Study completion13 Apr 2017

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 4
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Participant
Enrolment
46 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT02105558
Sponsor's protocol ID
HSC-MS-14-0023
Status last verified
Jun 2018
First submitted
2 Apr 2014
Last updated
19 Jul 2018
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
Yes
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Undecided

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 4 study testing Epidural anesthesia and Combined spinal and epidural anesthesia in people with Labor Pain and Complications; Cesarean Section, run by The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 19 Jul 2018. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 4 studies take place after a treatment is approved, to learn more about its long-term benefits and risks in everyday use.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 19 Jul 2018). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Number of Participants With Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC) (time frame: at the time of delivery). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 19 Jul 2018.

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