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Realtime UltrasoundNCT04214574

Real Time Ultrasound Guided Spinal Anesthesia in Elderly Patients

A study testing Parasagittal oblique technique (Ultrasound) and Paramedian tranverse technique (Ultrasound) in people with Realtime Ultrasound, run by American University of Beirut Medical Center at 1 site in Lebanon.

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

In this prospective randomized observational study, investigators aim to compare the efficacy and procedural outcomes of real-time ultrasound guided parasagittal oblique (RTU-PO) and real-time ultrasound guided paramedian transverse (RTU-PT) approaches in elderly patients undergoing elective surgery under spinal… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 65 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Realtime Ultrasound
What is being tested?
Parasagittal oblique technique (Ultrasound) and Paramedian tranverse technique (Ultrasound)
Type of treatment
Medical device
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
77 participants
Where
1 siteLebanon
Study dates
30 Jan 2020to 4 Jul 2024
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

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 65 years and older
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Patients aging above 65 years
  • American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status 1 to 3
  • Can give informed consent
  • Scheduled for elective surgery

Who cannot join

  • Inability to sit or to give consent
  • Patients with severe cardiopulmonary diseases
  • Previous back surgery or spinal congenital abnormalities
  • Bleeding diathesis
  • Anticoagulants or antiplatelets except aspirin
  • Local anesthesia allergy

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Lebanon1 site
  • American University of Beirut Medical Center

    Beirut

Other trials in Lebanon

About this study

Official title: Real-Time Ultrasound-Guided Neuraxial Puncture in Elderly Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Between Paramedian Transverse and Parasagittal Oblique

In this prospective randomized observational study, investigators aim to compare the efficacy and procedural outcomes of real-time ultrasound guided parasagittal oblique (RTU-PO) and real-time ultrasound guided paramedian transverse (RTU-PT) approaches in elderly patients undergoing elective surgery under spinal anesthesia.

Read the detailed description

Background: Since its first introduction in 1898 by Bier, Spinal anesthesia has been performed using the anatomical landmark guided approach. Despite being useful, the landmark technique doesn't take into account anatomical variations, spine abnormalities or age-related changes in the lumbar spine as seen in elderly, obese or pregnant patients and thus can lead to incorrect identification of a certain interspace. Neuraxial ultrasonography has been introduced as a technique to allow the operator to preview spinal anatomy, identify the midline, determine the interspace and guide the needle insertion site and trajectory. It was found to be a feasible and promising technique that can result in successful cerebrospinal fluid acquisition where other methods have failed. While pre-procedural Ultrasound has been used by many studies to identify the right epidural or subarachnoid spaces and have an idea about the angle of needle insertion, it remains a blind technique. Real-time ultrasound guided technique was found to improve the limitations of the pre-puncture ultrasound guided techniques by direct, real-time visualization of the needle trajectory. In spinal anesthesia, a midline approach has been the most common technique used for needle insertion. However, this approach is often technically difficult in the geriatric population because of poorly palpable surface landmarks, lumbar scoliosis, marked thoracic kyphosis, degenerative changes and inability to flex the lumbar spine in the sitting position. While the parasagittal oblique approach tends to provide a better sonographic window into the vertebral canal than the midline approach, it is still not evident whether it will lead to an easier paramedian needle insertion. In the literature, there are no studies directly comparing the paramedian transverse and parasagittal oblique approaches in the performance of real time ultrasound guided spinal anesthesia.

Specific Aim: The aim of this study is to find out the optimal approach to perform spinal anesthesia under real time ultrasound guidance in the elderly population. Thus, investigators will compare real time ultrasound-guided paramedian approach using parasagittal oblique view with real time ultrasound guided paramedian approach using the paramedian transverse median view. The aim is thus to adopt a real time ultrasound guided technique that will result in an easier access to the subarachnoid space in patients with difficult anatomy and results in better patient satisfaction and less discomfort.

Methodology and analysis: In a prospective randomized observational study, 84 patients scheduled for surgery amenable to spinal anesthesia, aged more than 65 years, with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status 1 to 3 will be assigned to receive spinal anesthesia to one of two treatment groups: real time ultrasound-guided parasagittal oblique technique (group RTU-PO) or Real time ultrasound-guided paramedian transverse technique (group RTU-T). Ultrasonography of the lumbar spine and Real time spinal blockade will be performed by the experienced anesthesiologist. Patients in both groups will have an ultrasound scan of the lumbar spine to measure the depth of the dura, to specify and guide the needle insertion site and trajectory. The primary outcome is the rate of successful dural puncture on the first needle insertion attempt under real time ultrasound guidance. Normally distributed data will be summarized as mean ± SD and nonnormally distributed data will be summarized as median [interquartile range].

Significance: Investigators believe that real time US-guided technique is a superior modality of performance of spinal anesthesia. However, investigators would like to evaluate which approach will be better for the acquisition of cerebrospinal fluid in elderly patients. Investigators think that this study would have an impact on current practice in term of introducing real time ultrasound guided technique into everyday practice and determining the best approach to perform a successful neuraxial block in a patient with a suspected difficult back.

Being tested
Parasagittal oblique technique (Ultrasound), Paramedian tranverse technique (Ultrasound)

What participants receive

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

  • Parasagittal oblique technique (Ultrasound)Device

    the probe will be placed in a parasagittal plane to identify the articular processes then the sacrum will be identified. The probe will be moved cephalad in the parasagittal axis until the identification of the target lumbar interspaces L2-L3, L3-L4 or L4-L5. Once the appropriate lumbar interspace is identified, the probe will be tilted 45 degree towards the midline into a parasagittal oblique view. The needle will be inserted in plane from the caudal end of the ultrasound transducer with its tip directed towards the interlaminar space under real-time in-plane US guidance.

  • Paramedian tranverse technique (Ultrasound)Device

    the transducer will be applied in the parasagittal plane, and after identification of the intervertebral level, the probe will be rotated 90 degrees into a transverse orientation and centered on the neuraxial midline in a way to align the beam with the interspinous and interlaminar space and thus to get a paramedian transverse interlaminar view. The needle will be inserted in plane from the lateral end of the ultrasound transducer with its tip directed towards the medial border of the articular process.

Study groups in NCT04214574
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Real time ultrasound-guided Parasagittal oblique technique (RTU-PO)ExperimentalIn the RTU-PO group, the probe will be placed in a parasagittal plane to identify the articular processes then the sacrum will be identified. The probe will be moved cephalad in the parasagittal axis until the identification of the target lumbar interspaces L2-L3, L3-L4 or L4-L5. Once the appropriate lumbar interspace is identified, the probe will be tilted 45 degree towards the midline into a parasagittal oblique view. This provides a view of the paramedian interlaminar space. The ligamentum flavum and the dura form the posterior complex that can be often visualized as a single hyperechoic structure beneath which lies the hypoechoic intrathecal space. The needle will be inserted in plane from the caudal end of the ultrasound transducer with its tip directed towards the interlaminar space under real-time in-plane US guidance.
Receives: Device: Parasagittal oblique technique (Ultrasound)
Real time ultrasound-guided paramedian tranverse technique (RTU-T)ExperimentalIn the RTU-T group, similar to the RTU-PO group, the transducer will be applied in the parasagittal plane, and after identification of the intervertebral level, the probe will be rotated 90 degrees into a transverse orientation and centered on the neuraxial midline in a way to align the beam with the interspinous and interlaminar space and thus to get a paramedian transverse interlaminar view. The needle will be inserted in plane from the lateral end of the ultrasound transducer with its tip directed towards the medial border of the articular process.
Receives: Device: Paramedian tranverse technique (Ultrasound)

What is being measured

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

  1. Incidence of successful Dural puncture on the first needle insertion attempt

    Successful needle insertion on the first attempt (Yes/No)

    Measured: At the begining of the procedure (during the needle insertion)

Secondary outcomes (12)
  1. Incidence of success of spinal anesthesia

    Success of spinal anesthesia (Yes/No)

    Measured: During the procedure

  2. Time to identify posterior complex on ultrasound

    Time to identify posterior complex on ultrasound (measured in seconds)

    Measured: During the procedure

  3. Time to perform spinal anesthesia

    Time to perform spinal anesthesia (measured in seconds)

    Measured: During the procedure

  4. Procedural time

    Procedural time (measured in minutes)

    Measured: During the procedure

  5. Depth of the posterior complex

    Depth of the posterior complex (measured in cm)

    Measured: During the procedure

  6. Number of redirections

    Number of redirections

    Measured: During the procedure

  7. Number of needle passes

    Number of needle passes

    Measured: During the procedure

  8. Number of separate skin punctures

    Number of separate skin punctures

    Measured: During the procedure

  9. Number of spinal levels attempted

    Number of spinal levels attempted

    Measured: During the procedure

  10. Rate of satisfaction

    Patient satisfaction (scale from 1 to 3: very satisfied, satisfied, dissatisfied)

    Measured: After the procedure

  11. Rate of complications

    Complications (Yes/No)

    Measured: During the procedure

  12. Rate of complications, if present

    Complications if present (Vascular puncture, Paresthesia, Conversion to GA 30 minutes after block, and Others)

    Measured: During the procedure

Timeline

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

  1. First posted2 Jan 2020
  2. Study start30 Jan 2020
  3. Primary completion4 Jul 2024
  4. Study completion4 Jul 2024

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 N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Double blind
Who is masked
Participant, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
77 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT04214574
Sponsor's protocol ID
BIO-2018-0589
Status last verified
Jul 2024
First submitted
28 Dec 2019
Last updated
25 Jul 2024
Results posted
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Parasagittal oblique technique (Ultrasound) and Paramedian tranverse technique (Ultrasound) in people with Realtime Ultrasound, run by American University of Beirut Medical Center at 1 site in Lebanon.

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 6 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 25 Jul 2024. 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 Lebanon. 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.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

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?

Incidence of successful Dural puncture on the first needle insertion attempt (time frame: At the begining of the procedure (during the needle insertion)). 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 25 Jul 2024.

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