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Abstract
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Background and Aims Labor epidural analgesia is used to alleviate labor pain, and that depends on proper needle and catheter placement. This study aimed to assess the sensitivity of color flow Doppler (CFD) in confirming the position of the epidural catheter by utilizing two approaches: the parasagittal view (PSV) and the transverse view (TV).
Methods This is a prospective observational design study. Women in labor were categorized into two groups according to their Body Mass Index (BMI). Group C consisted of women with a BMI <35, whereas Group O consisted of women with a BMI > 35. CFD was used to detect the flow in the epidural space. Data was collected and analyzed.
Results In Group C, 72.2% of patients showed flow detected by PSV, compared to 45.4% in Group O, with a p-value of <0.001. The sensitivity for detecting flow in the PSV in Group C was 70.45% versus 35.23% in the TV. Group O demonstrated a sensitivity of 53.33% in the PSV versus 8% in the TV. Within Group C, the specificity for detecting CFD was 11% in the PSV and 77.78% in the TV. In Group O, the specificity was 81.82% in the PSV and 95.45% in the TV. The PPV for the PSV and TV in Group C were 88.57% and 93.9%, respectively. In Group O, the PSV had a PPV of 91% versus 85% in TV.
COLOR FLOW Doppler of flow in epidural space
Conclusions CFD provides a valuable and readily available tool for accurately determining the placement of the epidural catheter in the epidural space during labor analgesia.