Epidural Analgesia for Labour Pain - Effect of Change in the Catheter length in the Epidural Space
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The study is aimed to determine the optimal length of the epidural catheter for pain relief during childbirth. We conducted a prospective, randomised, double-blind study involving 240 women in active labour who requested epidural anaesthesia. The expectant women were divided into three groups: one group had the catheter threaded 3 cm into the epidural space, another group had it threaded 4 cm, and the third group had it threaded 5 cm. The study found that the group with the catheter inserted 4 cm into the epidural space had the highest success rate of analgesia and the lowest incidence of complications. The 3-cm group had a slightly higher incidence of incomplete analgesia, possibly due to catheter dislodgement, while the 5-cm group had the highest incidence of incomplete analgesia. The study suggests that inserting the multiorifice epidural catheter 4 cm into the epidural space using a cranially directed needle orifice at the L2-3 or L3-4 interspace provides the best pain relief and reduces complications during labour.
Author: International Journal of Medical Science and Advanced Clinical Research (IJMACR)
Language: English
Subfield: Surgery
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W6912015391
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